As providers, we have all had patients engage in behaviors that negatively affect their health. We have all wished that some of our patients would eat better, stop smoking, exercise more, reduce stress, and take better care of themselves. However, just telling them to change their behavior is often not motivating enough for patients to change their lifestyles. This approach often hinders the patient-provider relationship and stifles open communication about behavior change.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a patient centered and collaborative approach to address behavior change and works by utilizing a patient’s own motivation for change (Miller and Rollnick, 2013). MI has been well researched and found to be successful in treating a variety of health problems including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, smoking, overweight/obesity, hypertension, psychosis, gambling, as well as HIV. (Rollnick, Miller, & Butler, 2008). MI goes beyond telling a patient that they need to change their behavior and why. MI assists patients to foster the tools and motivation they need to make lasting behavior changes. The utilization of motivational interviewing has taught me to accept my patients as they are whether they have decided to quit smoking or not, while understanding where they are in the behavior change process. This is mutually beneficial for both patients and providers. Patients feel accepted despite engaging in unhealthy behaviors and providers have given the responsibility of behavior change back to the patients. The provider and the patient engage in collaborative conversation to assist the patient in the behavior change process.
Motivational Interviewing for Smoking Cessation 