The evolution of an interprofessional education motivational interviewing workshop: Finding the right balance

Abstract

Abstract Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a communication style used among health professionals to help patients develop and foster internal motivation for positive changes in health behavior. Students are often taught MI within the context of their own health profession; yet, interprofessional education (IPE) is recommended to prepare students for a future of collaborative practice. This paper describes and presents findings from an IPE-MI workshop offered three times over two years, to students across nine health science schools, at one institution. The overall objective of the workshop was to use MI as a method of delivering an IPE experience to address the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC®) competencies of values/ethics, roles/responsibilities, interprofessional communication, and teams/teamwork. The workshop was created and executed by faculty volunteers. Students voluntarily attended two, 3-h IPE-MI workshops spaced one week apart. Student feedback provided valuable information for refinement of content and format. Despite challenges, an IPE-MI workshop can be delivered and sustained over time. Faculty may consider offering an IPE-MI course for credit to students across health professions.