Educational Activities Archives

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based approach to guide and enhance conversations when working with patients to promote positive behavior change. Originally developed in the context of treating substance use disorders, MI is a collaborative method of communication that pays particular attention to the language of change. MI helps to strengthen intrinsic motivation for change by exploring the patient’s own reasons for change by communicating the spirit of acceptance, partnership, empowerment, and compassion. This educational activity will introduce key MI concepts, including the four tasks, the spirit of MI, and skills for evoking change talk.

Learn how to move conversations about substance use from uncertainty to action. In this practical, skill-building session, Dr. Borsari will demonstrate how to: Recognize and respond to patient language around change; Elicit and strengthen intrinsic motivation to reduce substance use; ad Collaboratively develop a personalized, actionable change plan.

Improve how you connect with patients who feel stuck or uncertain about change. Motivational Interviewing (MI) strategies to help you: Engage more effectively with patients; Navigate ambivalence around behavior change; and Avoid resistance and build trust through collaboration.

As we enhance our understanding of addiction medicine through research, we strive to improve the treatment outcomes for our patients. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) at its core is an effective combination treatment because although medication is extremely beneficial in the treatment of addictions, for many patients it is not sufficient to maintain recovery because it does not address the behavioral aspects of the disease of addiction. This module provides basic information on 4 Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) that effectively treat the behavioral aspects of the disease of addiction. This module includes examples of techniques that may be performed during medication management and/or longer counseling visits with patients.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) can be a fatal addiction with complex implications for new and/or expecting mothers. OUD challenges can lead to many complications for mother and child, including low birth weight, clinical challenges with medical dosing and increased risk of accidental death. In the U.S. alone, a baby is born passively dependent every 15 minutes. To ensure best health outcomes for both mother and child, policies must allow engagement in evidence-based treatment and protect clients from legal ramifications. Hear from a physician, clinic director and an individual with lived experience to broaden understandings about the treatment and policy landscape for pregnant and postpartum women with OUD.

View these Motivational Interviewing (MI) resource links.