Knowing Is Not Enough
Have you
ever wondered why do some healthcare providers smoke? Knowing the dire
consequences of smoking it would be weird of them to do so. I found the answer while
working on a research paper on “motivational interviewing.” I learned that smoking
is a behavior and behaviors are not easy to change. I also learned that changing a behavior like
smoking is a gradual process and most often requires professional help. However
the success rate for changing behaviors is not promising. Fortunately, in
recent years, the “Motivational interviewing” method has shown a much better
success rate in helping people change their self-destructive behaviors.
Traditionally
two other methods have been used to help people change their behaviors. The first
method is “scare tactic” and the second one is “knowledge based approach.” An example
of ”scare tactic” would be the photos of cancer patients on cigarette packages
and educating people about the consequences of their behaviors would be an
example of “knowledge based approach.”
Recently, motivational
interviewing has replaced or has been added to other methods to improve the success rate in changing behaviors in patients expressing self-destructive behaviors. Motivational interviewing, elicit behavior
change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence.
During the
process of change, patient review their values and compare them with their
current behaviors and develop controversies. Then they attempt to change their
behaviors.However, using motivational interviewing they are more committed and express less resistance, in compare to
other methods, because they are the ones who decided to change their behaviors and
know the rationale behind it specific to their own individual values. Being
client-centered is the key to success in motivational interviewing.
Respiratorist
sources:
1-Motivational Interviewing for Emergency Nurses by: Steven L. Baumann. phD, RN GNP, PMHNP
2-endocrinetoday.com
"Motivational interviewing" by Thomas B. Repas, DO, FACP, FACE, CDE
