Influencing behaviour change in general practice - Part 2 - motivational interviewing approaches.

BACKGROUND: Behaviour change toward achieving a healthy lifestyle is important for all Australians, and general practitioners have a key role to play in assisting patients to make these changes.
OBJECTIVE: This is the second of two articles on influencing behaviour change in general practice. This article deals with the 'how to' of motivational interviewing in the general practice setting. DISCUSSION: Motivational interviewing can help build motivation, commitment and confidence to change. General practitioners can use motivational interviewing to help their patients achieve their health goals. Motivational interviewing is not about a set of techniques and questions; it is about creating a climate that facilitates change; it is more about listening than telling, evoking rather than instilling. Motivational interviewing can be done in the brief periods available in consultations over time.