Provider behaviors that predict motivational statements in adolescents and young adults with HIV: a study of clinical communication using the Motivational Interviewing framework

Abstract

ABSTRACT Medical care providers’ use of Motivational Interviewing (MI) is linked to improved medication adherence, viral load, and associated behaviors in adolescents and young adults living with HIV. Mastering MI is difficult for busy providers; however, tailoring MI training to the specific MI communication strategies most relevant for HIV treatment context may be a strategy to increase proficiency. The present study aimed to identify communication strategies likely to elicit motivational statements among adolescent-young adult patients living with HIV. Language used by MI-exposed providers during 80 HIV medical clinic visits was transcribed and coded to characterize patient-provider communication within the MI framework. Sequential analysis, an approach to establish empirical support for the order of behavioral events, found patients were more likely to express motivational statements after provider questions phrased to elicit motivation, reflections of motivational statements, and statements emphasizing patients’ decision-making autonomy. Patients were more likely to express amotivational statements when providers asked questions phrased to elicit amotivational statements or reflected amotivational language. Training providers to strategically phrase their questions and reflections to elicit change language and to emphasize patients’ autonomy may be critical skills for working with adolescents and young adults living with HIV.