What are the three key elements of motivational interviewing (MI)?

The three key elements of motivational interviewing (MI) center around fostering a supportive and collaborative environment that encourages patients to explore their thoughts, beliefs, and motivations regarding behavior change.

Drawing out patients' thoughts rather than imposing opinions is foundational to MI as it prioritizes the patient's perspective and autonomy. This approach is vital in creating a safe space where patients feel comfortable expressing their feelings and ambivalence about change. By doing so, healthcare providers can better understand the patient's motivations and barriers, leading to more effective and personalized interventions.

Engaging in a collaborative process and allowing patients to lead in goal setting and methods for change complement this strategy. The essence of MI is to empower patients to find their intrinsic motivation and solutions, making them active participants in their healthcare journey. This method tends to be more effective than authoritarian styles that focus on pushing information or advice onto the patient.