Motivational interviewing (MI) is:

• a collaborative conversational style for strengthening a person’s own motivation for commitment and change

• a particular way of talking to people about change and growth to strengthen their own motivation and commitment

Empathy is key to MI. It is all about listening and trying to understand the client’s/patient’s reality. MI focuses on the client/patient as a person and puts you in their shoes. The attention is placed on the client’s/patient’s concerns to help gain an understanding from their perspective. It is about their personal choice and the right to choose what is best for them. You are their guide as they find insights into their own issues. The ultimate result is shared decision-making and a positive patient experience.

Please join us for the two activities in our six-part CME series that will enhance your knowledge of MI in order to create the positive patient experience for which we all strive.

Part Three: Using the Spirit of Motivational Interviewing in Creating a Positive Patient Experience – Wednesday, March 26, 2025

This activity will build on foundational communication skills by focusing on using the components of the spirit of MI (partnership, acceptance, compassion, empowerment) in helping to engage the patient actively in their health care. Opportunities to use these skills within the clinical practice setting to promote patient self-management will be discussed.

Part Four: The Importance of Using Motivational Interviewing Tools in Creating a Positive Patient Experience – Wednesday, April 23, 2025

This activity will build on the spirit of MI by identifying specific tools within MI (open questions, affirmations, reflections) that can be used to engage the patient in ways that enhance their experience of care. Acting within the spirit of MI, use of these MI tools will help to address patient ambivalence for change and move toward effective self-management. Examples of how these tools may be applied in a clinical practice setting will be discussed.

Overall, this six-part series is designed to identify and develop the skills essential for providing a positive patient experience of care within the clinical setting. A patient’s experience is enhanced through effective communication, obtaining patient feedback, interacting with diverse generations, using the spirit of motivational interviewing (MI) and MI tools, and exhibiting cultural competency and humility. Using measurement in determining areas for quality improvement in the patient experience of care will be explored. These live virtual CME activities will go through June 2025. Each one will be on the 4th Wednesday of each month for 90 minutes with two choices for attendance, either from 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM or 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM. Each activity may be taken separately for 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ if not already registered for all six. Please see the link below for registration.

Target Audience: Physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, CHWs, and other members of the healthcare team

For the past several years, Healthology Symposium has been a key event that brings together healthcare professionals to discuss critical health-related topics and innovations. This year, Oakland University School of Health Sciences continued this tradition, focusing on achieving healthy diversity. The event featured various topics, including health literacy, communication and advocacy, community resources, and restorative well-being. The day began with four lightning talks, followed by opportunities for attendees to engage with speakers, student/faculty researchers, event sponsors, and vendors. The event concluded with an inspirational keynote address from Michael Spehn and Gina Kell Spehn, founders of the New Day Foundation for Families.

Practice Transformation Institute (PTI) had the privilege of being part of this important event where Lusilda emphasized the critical role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in bridging health disparities. She led a compelling session focused on the essential role of CHWs in bridging gaps by fostering communication, improving access, empowering patients, and driving policy change in underserved and marginalized communities. Additionally, Lusilda emphasized how CHWs serve as trusted liaisons, delivering vital services and health education to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, build capacity, and advocate for their community needs. Highlighting this vital role, she stressed the importance of supporting the role of CHWs, whether through collaboration, funding, or understanding the value they bring and integrating CHWs into health and social settings.

Throughout the event, the essential role of communication, advocacy, and health literacy in enhancing health outcomes was a central theme. CHWs continue to be at the forefront of these efforts, leveraging their unique position to foster better understanding and engagement within the communities they serve. Programs like the CHW program and CHW Sustainability: Advancing the Profession, along with the additional training and educational opportunities provided by PTI, continue to support these critical areas and enhance our collective ability to make a positive impact on public health and the sustainability of the CHW role and field.

Looking ahead, PTI remains committed to supporting CHW efforts and abilities through advocacy and training and educational opportunities that strengthen the capabilities of CHWs and healthcare professionals alike.

For more information on the CHW program, CHW Sustainability: Advancing the Profession, and additional educational opportunities, please visit PTI’s website.