Using motivational interviewing techniques to support behaviour change

Effective communication is essential in all healthcare settings, and in modern nursing practice enhanced communication skills are needed to support person-centred care and enable nurses to facilitate meaningful change. This article, the second in a series on how student and registered nurses across all fields can practise talking therapies with confidence in their everyday practice, looks at the use of motivational interviewing to support changes in health-related behaviours. A scenario set in each field of nursing is used to show the fundamental skills involved when using motivational interviewing to support individuals to make healthier life choices to improve their overall health and wellbeing.