Patient education is a central component of physical therapy practice. Frequent, extended communication with patients enables practitioners to develop rapport and insight into contextual factors associated with health-related behaviors. These characteristics place PTs and PTAs in an optimal position to enhance health-related outcomes by encouraging patients to play an active role in effective self-management.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based, collaborative approach to patient education that incorporates goal setting, treatment planning, self-monitoring, and reassessment. MI techniques assist patients in recognizing discrepancies between their current behavior and personal values, and provide support for self-efficacy by reinforcing an individual's belief that he or she is capable of initiating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Evidence supports this method for enhancing adherence to home exercises and other health behavior change, as well as the management of chronic pain.
- Explore motivational theory as a foundation for collaborative, patient-centered communication.
- Apply evidence-based behavioral assessment as a foundation for enhancing adherence to healthcare
recommendations. - Use motivational interviewing techniques to promote reciprocal communication and strengthen
therapeutic alliance within physical therapy practice.
Dr. Rose Pignataro is the Assistant Chair and an Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at Emory & Henry College in Marion, Virginia. She has 30 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist and 20 years of experience in physical therapy education. Dr. Pignataro’s primary areas of teaching are health promotion, integumentary practice/ wound management, cardiopulmonary, professional issues, and research.
Prior to joining the faculty at Emory & Henry, Dr. Pignataro was the Chair of Physical Therapy at AdventHealth University in Orlando. She has also served as a full-time or adjunct faculty member at University of South Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gannon University, and Stony Brook University. Her clinical background includes board certification in wound management and health education, with direct patient experience in acute care, wound care, cardiopulmonary, and geriatric physical therapy.
2 contact hour of Type 1 Credit
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