LI Course
CE Hours: 6 contact hours

Statement of Purpose and Institute Overview: The purpose of this institute is to provide participants with skills and tools to facilitate behavior change using evidenced based methods and practical application. The focus on changing behaviors within the Affordable Care Act, Medical Home, and the healthcare economy, create a need to effect change with each encounter and at all levels of contact. This institute provides an overview of health behavior theory and related tools with a solid foundation in Motivational Interviewing (MI), a guiding communication style that has demonstrated significant impact in international trials on patient change. Almost 30 years of research links MI to successfully reducing resistance and guiding individuals toward behavior change in a variety of lifestyle issues including substance abuse, smoking cessation, sexual/HIV behaviors, and chronic illness behaviors. Researchers of MI communication are testing a theory to explain the success of this skill set. Evoking change talk, reflective listening, honoring autonomy and collaboration are MI cornerstones. Internationally, MI has been successfully adopted by physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, probation officers, para-professionals and is found in over 36 countries and in several languages. The cultural and individual sensitivity of this guiding counseling style creates an excellent fit for those in faith based health promotion, community workers, managers, and those working with diverse ethnic/cultural and focused population needs. Comments shared by health care providers about their experience of MI: • “By utilizing the motivational interviewing I can direct the client in a specific direction but they get to set the guidelines, make the rules, and set up a plan for change. It is a lot easier than I had originally anticipated. The interviewer is able to basically sit back and relax and let the client do all the work.” • “It is very difficult, until it is experienced, to believe that a client/patient can come up with their own solutions to their problems; however, this did indeed happen.” • “Using affirmations, open ended questions, and reflection allowed the client to identify the problem, look at the past issues and what worked and what didn’t. Using MI helped to identify the related health issues and benefits of weight loss. I watched [client] go from the contemplation stage to the preparation stage.” A member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (an international group ensuring MI adherent training practices), will provide the training. Individual population practice needs will be addressed while keeping this day lively and engaging.

Session Objectives: • Describe the elements influencing behavior change. • Identify the application of Motivational Interviewing within an individual practice context. • Demonstrate a beginning understanding of Motivational Interviewing skills.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)