An evaluation of training in motivational interviewing for nurses in child health services.
BACKGROUND
Acquiring proficiency in motivational interviewing (MI) may be more difficult than generally believed, and training research suggests that the standard one-time workshop format may be insufficient. Although nurses represent one of the professions that have received most training in MI, training in this group has rarely been systematically evaluated using objective behavioral measures.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate an enhanced MI training program, comprising a 3.5-day workshop, systematic feedback on MI performance, and four sessions of supervision on practice samples.


METHODS
Nurses (n = 36) in Swedish child health services were trained in MI. Skillfulness in MI was assessed using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) Code. Effects of training were compared to beginning proficiency thresholds.


RESULTS
Participants did not reach beginning proficiency thresholds on any of the indicators of proficiency and effect sizes were small.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study adds to a growing body of literature suggesting that the current standard MI training format may not provide practitioners with enough skillfulness. Moreover, the results indicate that even enhanced training, including systematic feedback and supervision, may not be sufficient. Suggestions for improved MI training are made.
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Benjamin
B
Bohman
Lars
L
Forsberg
Ata
A
Ghaderi
Finn
F
Rasmussen
D000328:Adult; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004493:Education; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062405:Motivational Interviewing; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D013548:Sweden