Learning Objectives: Demonstrate tobacco use intervention as a model to teach medical students how to motivate patients to make health behavior changes.
Abstract: Objective: Demonstrate tobacco use intervention as a model to teach medical students how to motivate patients to make health behavior changes.
Methods: We examined the effectiveness of motivational interviewing training in improving first-year medical students’ knowledge of, and confidence in, their ability to counsel patients regarding health behavior change. Teaching focused on learning and practicing motivational interviewing techniques using brief lectures, interactive class activities, student role-plays, and simulated patients. Tobacco use intervention served as the primary model for discussion and role-play. Students completed an identical pre-and post-course questionnaire, which measured their confidence and knowledge regarding health behavior change counseling skills. They also completed a formative evaluation of the course content and structure.
Results: Students reported improved confidence in their understanding of motivational interviewing after participation in the course (very confident 77%) as compared to before the course (very confident 2%). Each of the 8 confidence items were compared pre- and post-course using a signed-rank test. Very confident in tobacco counseling increased from 14% to 56% (p <0.001). All other comparisons indicated a significant improvement (p£0.01) in confidence. For knowledge-base showed significant improvement as 31% of students answered all of the questions correctly before the course and 56% answered all questions correctly after the course (p£0.01). Role-play with simulated patients, role-play with other, students, and faculty interaction were reported as most helpful in building confidence in using motivational interviewing techniques. Conclusion: Teaching motivational interviewing skills to first year medical students can enhance student confidence in, and knowledge of, providing health behavior change counseling.
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Back to The 2003 National Conference on Tobacco or Health (December 10-12, 2003)