Healthcare providers are tasked with a seemingly simple mission: make people’s lives better. But, when well-intentioned recommendations are met with patient resistance, this task becomes challenging. Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based communication approach focused on championing patients to identify their own motivations for health behavior change, rather than providers authoritatively directing. Physician Assistants can make meaningful changes to how they counsel and educate patients by delivering carefully crafted language and reflections. With a partnership approach, patients and providers work together to identify modifiable health behaviors, develop therapeutic plans or goals, and see improved results. The utilization of motivational interviewing has shown high rates of smoking cessation, decreased cholesterol levels, increased psychiatric medication compliance, and even reduced pediatric BMI. Healthcare providers can use MI in any setting to contribute to the larger goal of improving patient lives
