Improving medical students' success in promoting health behavior change: A curriculum evaluation

TitleImproving medical students' success in promoting health behavior change: A curriculum evaluation
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsBell, K, Cole, BA
JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine
Volume23
Pagination1503-1506
PublisherSpringer
Place PublishedGermany
Publication Languageeng
ISBN Number0884-87341525-1497
Accession Number2008-11633-016. First Author & Affiliation: Bell, Kristin
Keywordsbehavior change, Counseling, counseling patients, Curriculum, Health Behavior, medical education, medical students, medical students success, motivational interviewing, promoting health behavior change
Abstract

Introduction: Effective behavior change counseling is an important component of the optimal care of patients, yet only a minority of medical schools currently include such training in their curriculum. Aim: To design and evaluate a formal curriculum to teach medical students the principles of motivational interviewing (MI) that will improve knowledge, skills, and confidence in the area of counseling patients for health behavior change. Participants: Fifty-three 3rd year medical students at the University of California, San Diego. Program Description: A 4-week curriculum consisting of four 2-h sessions, in a small group format (8–12 students). Educational strategies included a combination of short didactics, video demonstrations, small group role plays, and interactive exercises. Program Evaluation: Students completed identical pre- and post-assessments, consisting of a questionnaire measuring confidence and knowledge, and a performance assessment using the Video Assessment of Simulated Encounters-Revised (VASE-R) tool. Knowledge improved significantly (pre-mean: 7.04, post-mean: 11.54; P < 0.001), as did skill development (pre-mean: 7.02, post-mean: 9.47; P < 0.001). Student satisfaction with behavior change counseling training improved from 3.6 to 8.1 (P < 0.001). Students were significantly more confident (P < 0.001) in their abilities to assess a patient’s readiness for change and counsel the patient on behavior change after the course. Discussion: Participation in a focused curriculum on the use of motivational interviewing techniques significantly improved 3rd year medical students’ knowledge, confidence, and skills in the area of behavior change counseling. These gains may help students succeed in promoting good health habits in their future patients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)

URLhttp://libproxy.unm.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2008-11633-016&login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=siteKristin.bell@va.govhttp://pubmedcentralcanada.ca/picrender.cgi?accid=PMC2518029&blobtype=pdf
Go to top