Training dietitians in basic motivational interviewing skills results in changes in their counseling style and in lower saturated fat intakes in their patients.
OBJECTIVE
To test if basic training for dietitians in motivational interviewing (MI) resulted in changes in dietitians' counseling style and improvements in their patients' diet and risk parameters.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
9 home-care organizations in the Netherlands.


METHODS
37 dietitians, 209 baseline patients, and 142 follow-up diabetes patients.


METHODS
Dietitians were randomly allocated to receive basic training in motivational interviewing (MI dietitians, n=18) or not (control dietitians, n=19).


METHODS
Counseling style of dietitians; total self-reported saturated fat, fruit, and vegetable intake, measured body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and glycated hemoglobin (Hemoglobin A(1c), HbA(1c)) of patients.


METHODS
Analyses of variance and multiple linear regression analyses. Alpha = .05


RESULTS
MI dietitians were significantly more empathetic, more often showed reflection during consultations, and were more likely than control dietitians to let their patients talk for the majority of the consultation. Patients of MI dietitians had significantly lower saturated fat intake levels at posttest compared to patients of control dietitians. No effects on HbA(1c), BMI, and waist circumference were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Basic training in MI changed the dietitians' counseling style and resulted in lower saturated fat intakes in their patients.
Brug
Johannes
J
Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.brug@erasmusmc.nl
Spikmans
Femke
F
Aartsen
Cora
C
Breedveld
Boudewijn
B
Bes
Rik
R
Fereira
Isabel
I
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D016014:Linear Models; D009426:Netherlands; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
D004041:Dietary Fats