Need and desire among pharmacy practitioners for motivational interviewing to be incorporated into pharmacy curricula

ObjectiveTo determine if new pharmacy practitioners express a need and/or desire for motivational interviewing (MI) to be incorporated into pharmacy school curricula.MethodsAn electronic survey was distributed to North Carolina pharmacists. Need was determined based on respondents’ level of preparedness to counsel in traditional or MI styles at completion of pharmacy education. Desire was evaluated based on whether the respondent supported incorporation of MI into pharmacy education curricula and if the respondent stated MI is applicable in current practice.ResultsLess than 75% of respondents (n = 257) indicated they were well prepared to counsel using either traditional or MI styles. Furthermore, 94% of respondents supported incorporation of MI into curricula, and 85% stated it was applicable to current practice.ConclusionAmong recent graduates, there is a need for improved patient counseling education. Based on the strong level of desire, schools should consider incorporation of MI. Pharmacy schools should assess when and how MI would best be incorporated into curricula.