Knowing Is Not Enough

Have you ever wondered why do some healthcare providers smoke? Knowing the dire consequences of smoking it would be weird of them to do so. I found the answer while working on a research paper on “motivational interviewing.” I learned that smoking is a behavior and behaviors are not easy to change.  I also learned that changing a behavior like smoking is a gradual process and most often requires professional help. However the success rate for changing behaviors is not promising. Fortunately, in recent years, the “Motivational interviewing” method has shown a much better success rate in helping people change their self-destructive behaviors.

Traditionally two other methods have been used to help people change their behaviors. The first method is “scare tactic” and the second one is “knowledge based approach.” An example of ”scare tactic” would be the photos of cancer patients on cigarette packages and educating people about the consequences of their behaviors would be an example of “knowledge based approach.”

Recently, motivational interviewing has replaced or has been added to other methods to improve the success rate in changing behaviors in patients expressing self-destructive behaviors.  Motivational interviewing, elicit behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence.

During the process of change, patient review their values and compare them with their current behaviors and develop controversies. Then they attempt to change their behaviors.However, using motivational interviewing they are more committed and express less resistance, in compare to other methods, because they are the ones who decided to change their behaviors and know the rationale behind it specific to their own individual values. Being client-centered is the key to success in motivational interviewing. 

Respiratorist

sources:

1-Motivational Interviewing for Emergency Nurses by: Steven L. Baumann. phD, RN GNP, PMHNP

2-endocrinetoday.com

 "Motivational interviewing" by Thomas B. Repas, DO, FACP, FACE, CDE

My name is Arash. I'm from Vancouver. did my First year of sciences in Langara college. General Biology and Human Anatomy are my favorite subjects.

I learned about RT program when I was volunteering in St.Paul's hospital where I was introduced with some equipment and the type of care RTs provide, and I founded it fascinating, did some research and now here I am at Thompson Rivers University. 

I enjoy travelling, meeting new people, learning new things, photography,

reading, music and a lot of other things. 

I would like to post interesting things that I learned, so I can refer to them after I graduate and also to share them with others.