It seems as if doctors who exhibit characteristics such as compassion and respect are the exception rather than the rule. Therefore, it is critical that doctors are continually trained on evidence-based tactics such as motivational interviewing as well as bedside manner.  Interprofessional training can allow the sharing of expertise and resources and is a good method of providing continual training.

Implications for improving patient-provider relationships in depression treatment

References for Dismantling Motivational Interviewing: Effects on Initiation of Behavior Change among Problem Drinkers Seeking Treatment

Motivational Learning (MI) is found to be an effective treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUD). It aims to increase motivation using two therapeutic strategies or active ingredients: relational and one-directional. The focus of the study was to analyze the MI's therapeutic strategy by utilizing a dismantling design. The 139 subjects were randomly given a condition: MI, relational MI, spirit-only MI (SOMI), or a non-therapy control (NTC) condition. These conditions went on for eight weeks. The subjects who had MI or SOMI had four sessions of treatment over those eight weeks. It had been found that all of the participants had decreased their alcohol consumption by week eight, though this was seen amongst all of the conditions. The original hypothesis would not be supported, highlighting how motivation would not weaken the effects that each condition had on the disorders. 

Dismantling Motivational Interviewing: Effects on Initiation of Behavior Change among Problem Drinkers Seeking Treatment 

References for Motivational interviewing to reduce hazardous drinking and drug use among depression patients

The study analyzed the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) to decrease the amount of substance use among adults who have depression in outpatient psychiatry. The sample size was 104 participants, including people who said they were involved in hazardous drinking, illegal drug use, or misuse of prescription drugs, and who scored less than 15 on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The patients would be receiving outpatient depression cases and telephone interviews, in addition to MI or learning about alcohol and drug use risks. Overall, it was noted that the participants treated with MI were less likely to report hazardous drinking at the 3-month mark.

Motivational interviewing to reduce hazardous drinking and drug use among depression patients

Motivational interviewing is a brief intervention method meant to guide those who are ambivalent about changing their behaviors into readiness for change.  It is often used in primary care settings.

California Baptist University

Grand Valley State University

Some important provider characteristics in terms of depression treatment were a sense of comfort and caring, as well as empathy and respect.  It's important for patients to be put at ease by a provider rather than being made uncomfortable, and to feel like their provider cares about their symptoms.  Likewise, it's important that providers convey humanity rather than being too mechanical or treating their patient like a box to be checked off. 

Provider characteristics and the patient-provider relationship

Moyers, T., Martin, T., Catley, D., Harris, K. J., & Ahluwalia, J. S. (2003). ASSESSING THE INTEGRITY OF MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING INTERVENTIONS: RELIABILITY OF THE MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING SKILLS CODE. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 31(2), 177-184. http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.gvsu.edu/scholarly-journals/assessing-integrity-motivational-interviewing/docview/213087473/se-2?accountid=39473

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