Development and Evaluation of An Online Motivational Interviewing Course for Diabetes Care in Primary Health Care Teams

Background: Optimal diabetes management requires sustained patient behavior change, yet many primary care professionals lack proficiency in Motivational Interviewing (MI). Online learning represents a flexible modality to enhance MI competencies; however, structured programs tailored for multidisciplinary teams remain scarce. This study aimed to design and evaluate an online MI course for healthcare professionals engaged in diabetes care within Thai primary care settings. Methods: A three-phase research and development approach was employed. Phase 1 comprised a learning needs assessment with 320 professionals and focus group discussions with nine volunteers. In Phase 2, an online course was developed using the ADDIE framework, content validated by three experts, and pilot tested with seven participants. Phase 3 involved course implementation using a one-group pretest–post-test design. Results: Of 320 professionals, 174 responded (54.4%). Most (65.5%) had no prior MI training but reported strong interest (mean = 4.30, SD = 0.61). The finalized seven-lesson multimedia course demonstrated high appropriateness (IOC = 1.00). Thirty-nine participants (12.2%) enrolled, with post-training knowledge scores significantly higher than pre-training scores (19.10 vs. 13.36, p <0.001). Two-thirds reported maximal knowledge application, and overall satisfaction was high (mean = 4.41, SD = 0.41). Conclusion: The online MI course significantly enhanced knowledge and demonstrated strong acceptability, supporting its potential scalability across Thailand’s primary care system and adaptability to other similar areas.