Motivational Interviewing, Coursework Example

Motivational interviewing is an effective means of advancing professional communication between advanced practice nurses and their patients with the intent to identify vulnerabilities and to support a positive and mutually beneficial association to improve healthcare outcomes (Chism). In my role as a DNP student, I have acquired valuable knowledge and experience in working with patients with HIV/AIDS; therefore, a patient from this group served as my subject for the motivational interviewing project. I attempted to adopt this practice in my own interview in order to make the patient feel more comfortable and willing to confide in my regarding her health status. With this patient, I recognized that her strong cultural and religious values as a Catholic female of Latino descent posed difficult challenges for her because she compromised her own beliefs by contracting HIV through unprotected sex. By all accounts, the patient is ashamed of her behavior and has found it very difficult to communicate with her family regarding her diagnosis over the past year. I will attempt to bridge the gap between family and patient by addressing this matter further and encouraging her to take the steps that are required to share information with her family so that her quality of life is not compromised any further.

When patients possess specific behaviors that compromise their health, it is likely that their needs will go unmet in the process and their health may decline. Nurses must utilize motivational interviewing to support improvements in lifestyle choices that will contribute to healthier outcomes (Noordman, de Vet, van der Weijden, & van Dulmen, 2013). This process is also designed to encourage patients to accept that change is necessary and that it will lead to improved quality of life over the long term (Richardson, 2012). Finally, motivational interviewing is designed to engage clients to support their needs and to minimize the ambivalent state regarding personal health (Miller & Rose, 2015).

These tools will support my growth in the DNP field and demonstrate my understanding of key principles that will improve patient health and wellbeing (Zaccagnini & White).

References

Chism, L.A. The Doctor of Nursing Practice: A Guidebook for Role Development and Professional Issues, Third Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Miller, W. R., & Rose, G. S. (2015). Motivational interviewing and decisional balance: contrasting responses to client ambivalence. Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy, 43(02), 129-141.

Noordman, J., de Vet, E., van der Weijden, T., & van Dulmen, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing within the different stages of change: An analysis of practice nurse-patient consultations aimed at promoting a healthier lifestyle.Social science & medicine, 87, 60-67.

Richardson, L. (2012). Motivational interviewing: Helping patients move toward change. Journal of Christian Nursing, 29(1), 18-24.

Zaccagnini, M.E., & White, K.W. The Doctor of Nursing Practice Essentials: A New Model for Advanced Practice Nursing, Second Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning.