Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
Conclusions:
MI is a therapeutic communication strategy that has great relevance
for both nursing and medicine. When working with patients whose
chronic illnesses require self care and monitoring, this technique
allows PCPs, nurses, and patients to function as a true team.
Deciding when it is more appropriate to use MI or standard health
care approaches is one challenge that emerged, and specific
training strategies for medical personnel (as opposed to therapists
and counselors) are indicated.
We found that MI is feasible to use and well accepted by patients in
the primary care setting. While it is different for patients to be
placed in an active role, initial resistance (especially among older
adults) can be effectively transformed into active participation.
Nurses felt this intervention led to better relationships with PCPs,
empowering of patients, and support of self efficacy. Their sessions
to promote behavior change were described as: “more of a dance
than a wrestling match, as usually occurs.”
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