Effect of Motivational Interviewing Training on Diabetes Educators’ Counseling Skills and Self-Efficacy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of motivational interviewing (MI) training on diabetes educators’ counseling skills and self-efficacy. Diabetes educators were randomly allocated to the MI training group or control group. The experimental group was provided with a one-day course on MI. Pre-, post-, and follow-up (F/U) measurements were compared. Twenty-four diabetes educators participated in this study. Scores on the counseling skills post-test and F/U-test increased significantly compared to pre-test in the MI training group, as did scores on the helping skill self-efficacy post-test and F/U-test. Session management self-efficacy post-test scores also increased significantly compared to pre-test in the MI training group. There were no significant differences in pre-post and pre-F/U scores in the control group. Diabetes educator-patient communication is an important factor affecting the management of diabetes. MI training increases the counseling skills & self-efficacy of diabetes educators. Diabetes educators should use MI to facilitate patient health behavior changes in diabetes education.