No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

There is a clear need to develop service structures that recognize the continuing role played by mothers in the diabetes care of young adults.

Context  Although several studies of motivational interviewing (MI) as an intervention have been conducted, there has been little research into how best to teach MI. Practice and rehearsal is often beneficial in helping practitioners to acquire communication skills, but there have been few studies into what types of practice and rehearsal are most effective. Methods  Health care professionals (who attended a 2‐day workshop in MI) were randomly assigned to conduct skills practice sessions with either a simulated patient (SP) or a fellow trainee. Their competence was assessed before and after training using the Behaviour Change Counselling Index, a validated rating scale. Participants also scored each practice session in terms of their affect and its perceived applicability to everyday clinical work. Results  There was no significant difference in skill levels between groups following training and no significant difference between groups in their scoring of the affect and applicability of each practice session. There was little indication of an association between how participants felt about their practice sessions and their skill levels. Conclusions  Trainees reached the same level of competence in MI following a 2‐day workshop, regardless of whether they practised with an SP or a fellow trainee during training.