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Abstract
Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based communication method to assist clients in resolving their ambivalence regarding change. With a school emphasis on evidence-based practice and learning outcomes, a social work department implemented a semester-long course on MI. The purpose of this study was to determine baseline skills and evaluate student skill outcomes. Students in 4 sections of the course (N = 137) completed validated pre- and posttest measures of empathy and MI skills to determine skill acquisition. Results indicated that students significantly increased on all skill measures with 85% scoring at beginning proficiency at posttest. Rationale for including MI in social work education and future research such as the need to determine skill transference into fieldwork are discussed.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Melinda Hohman
Melinda Hohman is director of the School of Social Work and professor at San Diego State University.
Paloma Pierce
Paloma Pierce is a counselor at the San Diego State University Research Foundation Driving Under the Influence Program.
Elizabeth Barnett
Elizabeth Barnett is lecturer at California State University Dominguez Hills.