Motivational Interviewing: Quality Improvement Training for Behavioral Health Care Workers

Aim: The aim of this quality improvement project was to provide multisession trainings that teach the fundamentals of motivational interviewing (MI) to inpatient behavioral health care workers who lack education and proficiency in these techniques. Background: MI is a therapeutic communication approach that explores a person’s mixed feelings or ambivalence and aims to encourage a positive behavior change. It was first developed for patients struggling with substance use disorders to assist them in making decisions regarding their sobriety. Methods: Participants attended three 2-hour MI educational sessions, which spanned 6 weeks. Instruction was through an interactive online module. After each educational session, participants engaged in role-play scenarios. Participants received ratings on their adherence to MI skills. Prior to the first and following the last educational session, participants completed an anonymous online survey to measure individual knowledge of MI fundamentals. Results: Through role-play adherence ratings, MI consistent fundamental skills, such as open-ended questions and reflective statements, demonstrated proficiency. The remaining MI consistent fundamental skills, MI style or spirit, and affirmations did not reach proficiency. MI consistent complex skills did not reach proficiency but did progressively increase in adherence. MI inconsistent skills that should be avoided all met adherence proficiency, other than close-ended questions. Conclusion: This quality improvement training demonstrated that through multiple internet-based educational sessions and role-play scenarios, proficiency in two MI consistent fundamental skills and knowledge increased. Continued efforts to create more educational and practical opportunities for knowledge retention are encouraged.