Motivational Interviewing: How Advanced Practice Nurses Can Impact the Rise of Chronic Diseases

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that almost 1 of every 2 adults in the United States has at least 1 chronic disease. Traditional methods of patient education, like providing expert advice, are not halting the rise of chronic diseases or risky health behaviors. This article provides an overview of motivational interviewing (MI) and how it can be an alternative to traditional educational methods for increasing patients’ internal motivation to change. Advanced practice nurses can play a pivotal role in decreasing the rise of chronic diseases by incorporating MI into patient care.