Module 4: Introduction to MI – Introduction
Introduction
At its core, motivational interviewing is a style of communication that supports people to consider and discuss their personal motivation and commitment to a particular course of action. As an approach to communicating with a woman during the perinatal period (patients), it may be different to the approaches you use as a healthcare professional or have even experienced as a patient yourself.
Watch Dr Steindl describe a common dynamic between a healthcare professional and a patient.
Have you found yourself in a similar situation with a woman you are caring for? As Dr Steindl mentioned, patients are more likely to be persuaded by something they say themselves, rather than by something said to them.
The key to empowering people to change
Motivational interviewing is based on the knowledge that the patient, rather than the health practitioner, should make the arguments for change. Using motivational interviewing approaches and techniques will help you shift your focus from dictating courses of action for patients to enabling them to work out why and how they are going to create positive change in their lives.
