Motivational Interviewing for Healthcare Professionals

This online physiotherapy course course, "Motivational Interviewing for Healthcare Professionals," offers a comprehensive exploration of Motivational Interviewing (MI),an evidence-based approach designed to enhance intrinsic motivation for behavior change. Participants will gain a deep understanding of MI's core principles, including collaboration, evocation, autonomy, and compassion. The online physiotherapy course curriculum covers the four key processes of MI—Engaging, Focusing, Evoking, and Planning—providing practical techniques for building rapport, identifying change goals, exploring ambivalence, and developing concrete action plans. The course also emphasizes essential communication skills, including Open-Ended Questions, Affirmations, Reflective Listening, and Summaries (OARS),and introduces strategies for enhancing engagement and motivation through "The 5 Rs" (Relevance, Risks, Rewards, Roadblocks, Repetition) and addressing adherence challenges with "The 5 As" (Ask, Advise, Agree, Assist, Arrange). Through case studies and role-playing, participants will apply MI principles to common clinical scenarios such as medication adherence, lifestyle changes, and chronic disease management, ultimately integrating this guiding style into their daily practice.

Online Physiotherapy Course Outline:

I. Introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI)

A. What is Motivational Interviewing

B. The Role of the Healthcare Professional

II. The Four Key Processes of Motivational Interviewing

A. Engaging

B. Focusing

C. Evoking

D. Planning

III. Core Communication Skills: OARS

A. Open-Ended Questions

B. Affirmations

C. Reflective Listening

D. Summaries

IV. Enhancing Engagement and Motivation: The 5 Rs and 5 As

A. The 5 Rs: Building Intrinsic Motivation

Relevance; Risks; Rewards; Roadblocks; Repetition; Re-engaging

B. The 5 As: Addressing Adherence Challenges

Ask; Advise; Agree; Assist; Arrange: 

V. Applying MI in Practice: Case Studies and Role-Playing

A. Common Clinical Scenarios

B. Practice Sessions

VI. Conclusion and Next Steps

A. Integrating MI into Daily Practice

B. Resources for Continued Learning

C. Q&A and Discussion

Learning Objectives for Motivational Interviewing for Healthcare Professionals

By the end of this online physiotherapy course, participants will be able to:

• Define Motivational Interviewing (MI) and its core principles of collaboration, evocation, autonomy, and compassion, and explain why MI is effective in healthcare contexts.
• Differentiate between a directive style and a guiding style of communication, and demonstrate ways to build rapport and therapeutic alliance with patients.
• Apply the four key processes of MI—Engaging, Focusing, Evoking, and Planning—by:

1. Establishing trust and understanding the patient’s perspective
2. Helping patients clarify goals and direction for change.
3. Eliciting intrinsic motivation and addressing ambivalence.
4. Developing concrete, collaborative action plans that enhance self-efficacy.
    

• Employ the OARS communication framework (Open-Ended Questions, Affirmations, Reflective Listening, and Summaries) to enhance dialogue, strengthen patient engagement, and guide conversations toward positive change.
• Utilize the 5 Rs (Relevance, Risks, Rewards, Roadblocks, Repetition) to enhance intrinsic motivation, and the 5 As (Ask, Advise, Agree, Assist, Arrange) to address adherence challenges in patient care.
• Integrate MI strategies into common clinical scenarios such as medication adherence, lifestyle modifications, and chronic disease management through case-based practice.
• Demonstrate MI skills through role-playing, simulated patient encounters, and peer feedback to strengthen practical competence.
• Develop personalized approaches for embedding MI into daily clinical practice, and identify resources for ongoing skill development and refinement.

CPD Credit Hours:

1.5 Hour

Who Should Enroll

This course is designed for healthcare professionals and allied health practitioners who wish to strengthen their communication skills and support patients in making lasting behavior changes. Ideal participants include:

• Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists working with patients on rehabilitation, lifestyle modification, or adherence to treatment plans.
• Doctors, Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners seeking patient-centered strategies to improve medication adherence, chronic disease management, and health outcomes
• Psychologists, Counselors, and Social Workers who integrate behavior change strategies into therapeutic practice.
• Pharmacists and Dietitians guiding patients through lifestyle adjustments and medication routines.
• Healthcare Educators and Case Managers aiming to foster patient motivation and self-management skills.
• Students and Early-Career Professionals in health-related fields looking to build foundational skills in evidence-based communication.

Resources:

• Downloadable Course Slides & Summary Tools
• CPD Certificate
• 60 Days of Access to Learning Materials

Course Presenter: Physiotherapy Online

Disclaimer: Our online physiotherapy courses meet the criteria and guidelines for CPD (Continuing Professional Development). The CPD hours indicated on the certificate contribute towards fulfilling professional standards and requirements necessary for CPD audits conducted by the HCPC and AHPRA. These CPD hours are important for maintaining physiotherapy registration and ensuring compliance with the CPD audit and physiotherapy registration renewal processes. Our courses are recognized as valuable continuing education resources across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout Asia and the Middle East.