Program Overview

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Professional/Short Course Motivational Interviewing: Strategies for Lifestyle Changes

The Professional/Short course in Motivational Interviewing: Strategies for Lifestyle Changes is a six-week program offered by the University of the West of England. This course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to facilitate lifestyle changes in clients through motivational interviewing.

Course Details

• Course code: UZZSWH203
• Level: Professional/Short Course
• School: School of Health and Social Wellbeing
• Campus: Glenside
• Duration: Six weeks
• Delivery: Face-to-face
• Course Director: Sharmila Arat

About the Course

This 20 credit module at level 6 (BSc level) or level 7 (Masters level) focuses on the process of change from both patient and professional perspectives and its application to Motivational Interviewing. Upon successful completion, students will achieve specific learning outcomes tailored to their level of study.

Learning Outcomes at Level 6

• Describe and demonstrate the process of change and its application to Motivational Interviewing.
• Describe and apply the stages of Motivational Interviewing processes.
• Discuss and demonstrate understanding of where a client may be situated in the process of change and appropriate interventions.
• Apply and review the principles, theory, adaptations, and application of motivational interviewing to clinical settings.
• Critically evaluate the evidence base for Motivational Interviewing and its impact on lifestyle change.

Learning Outcomes at Level 7

• Demonstrate the process of change and its application to Motivational Interviewing.
• Critically discuss the application of Motivational Interviewing to the process of change.
• Critically analyse the stages of Motivational Interviewing.
• Discuss and demonstrate understanding of client positioning in the change process and appropriate interventions.
• Critically review, reflect, and evaluate the principles, evidence-based theory, adaptations, and application of motivational interviewing to clinical settings and its impact on lifestyle change.

Careers / Further Study

This module can contribute towards various awards, including the PGCert Health and Social Care, MSc Clinical Practice, and Professional Development Awards. The level 6 module can contribute towards BSc(Hons) Specialist Practice (District Nursing), BSc(Hons) Health and Social Care, MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing), MSc Advanced Practice, and Professional Development Award. The level 7 module can contribute towards MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing), MSc Advanced Practice, and Professional Development Awards.

Structure

Content

The module syllabus covers:

• Change processes: Overview of the stages of change model, change and motivation, engaging service users and carers.
• Motivational interviewing and enhancement therapy: Principles, theoretical basis, styles of working, the therapeutic alliance, techniques, goals, and evidence base.
• Specialist applications: Working with specialist user groups, focusing interventions, and techniques.
• Health promotion and relapse prevention: Collaborative working, techniques of relapse prevention, maintenance, and termination of contact.

Learning and Teaching

A variety of approaches are used, including:

• Formative practice motivational interviewing (MI) skills
• Use of Motivational Interviewing roleplay videos
• Seminars
• Enquiry-based learning and case-based learning

Assessment

At both levels, assessment includes a live practical assessment of Motivational Interviewing Strategies and a critical reflective assessment. The practical assessment involves demonstrating MI skills with standardised patients or facilitators, while the reflective assessment critically evaluates the underpinning principles and theory of motivational interviewing and its application to a clinical example of behaviour change.

Prices and Dates

Supplementary fee information and specific dates can be found on the university's website.

Features

The College of Health, Science and Society has an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching and facilities. Students can take a personalised virtual tour of the Health Professions facilities.