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Motivational Interviewing: Understanding the How, What, When, and Why
Course Overview
Health care professionals can use motivational interviewing, a patient-centered strategy, to help patients take responsibility for their health and make positive changes. Review the basics of motivational interviewing, including its purpose and benefits. Learn best practices as well as mistakes to avoid.
Course Information
Course Description
This course introduces motivational interviewing, a patient-centered, evidence-based communication approach that helps individuals explore ambivalence and build motivation for healthy behavior change. Learners will examine the principles, techniques, and practical applications of motivational interviewing, including reflective listening, empathy, open-ended questioning, and the OARS framework.

The course also explores how motivational interviewing can support patients managing chronic conditions, high-risk behaviors, and lifestyle changes. Medical assistants will gain practical strategies for fostering productive conversations, encouraging patient engagement, supporting self-management, and strengthening therapeutic relationships that contribute to improved health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Learning Objectives
As a result of completing this course, learners will be able to:
  • Define motivational interviewing and its role in supporting behavior change.
  • Identify the benefits and appropriate uses of motivational interviewing in health care settings.
  • Apply the five principles of motivational interviewing to patient interactions.
  • Demonstrate communication techniques included in the OARS framework.
  • Recognize strategies for promoting patient autonomy, self-efficacy, and engagement in care.
Course Contributors
Deborah Novak, CMA (AAMA)
Co-Presenter, "Motivational Interviewing: Understanding the How, What, When, and Why".

Loxie Kistler, EdD, MS, BSN, RN, CMA (AAMA)
Co-Presenter, "Motivational Interviewing: Understanding the How, What, When, and Why".
Intended Audience
This course is intended for medical assistants, CMA (AAMA) professionals, and other ambulatory care team members who communicate with patients about health behaviors and lifestyle changes. Learners will gain practical skills for supporting patient motivation, enhancing communication, encouraging self-management, and improving engagement in care.
Retake Information
Please note that retakes for this online course require repurchase.
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Earn the Population Health Module Digital Badge
Want to earn the Population Health Module digital badge?
Learners who’ve passed all six individual courses of the Population Health Module become eligible to purchase the final exam ($20 for AAMA members and $40 for nonmembers), which is worth 1 AAMA CEU, through an AAMA staff representative. Learners can call 800/228-2262 and speak with a Continuing Education Department representative or email ContinungEducation@aama-ntl.org to arrange for payment and access. If the learner passes the final exam, they will have earned and will receive the Population Health Module digital badge.

Note: Learners can pass the six individual courses in any order, without a particular time frame restriction. Career enhancement meets convenience: earn professional development at your pace!
Summary
Availability:
On-Demand
Expires 14 days after start
Cost:
Member: $20.00
Nonmember: $30.00
CEU Offered:
2 Gen/Clin CEUs
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