Facilitating Behaviour Change through Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a method of counselling that complements the transtheoretical theory of behaviour change. The aim of this method is to explore the individual's motivation to change a behaviour that is explicitly nonjudgemental and nondirective. Systematic reviews have concluded that the method is capable of achieving small to medium effects in indicators of change in many health-related behaviours. It has also been demonstrated that doctors and health professionals can learn the skills of motivational interviewing. The method is attractive, as it can be used in consultations to support patients to reflect on their motivation to change behaviours and their confidence to do so.