Number
221
Name
An Interprofessional Approach to Dietary Counseling Using Motivational Interviewing
Date & Time
Sunday, June 7, 2026, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Location Name
Oglethorpe Ballroom
Speakers
Authors
Elizabeth Browning, assistant professor family medicine
Presentation Topic(s)
Curriculum
Description
PURPOSE
This interprofessional education (IPE) event was designed to provide
first-year osteopathic medical students and senior nursing students with
early experience in team-based patient counseling. The primary goal was to
apply the Transtheoretical Model of Change and motivational interviewing (MI)
techniques during simulated encounters. A secondary goal was to reinforce
nutrition counseling skills related to the DASH and Mediterranean diets for
patients with prediabetes or borderline hypertension.
METHODS
Students completed preparatory readings and video modules on motivational
interviewing, interprofessional communication, and evidence-based dietary
recommendations. Oen senior nursing student was paired with one first-year
medical student; the nursing student entered the room first to gather initial
history and then delivered an SBAR report to the medical student. Together,
the pair developed a unified plan to counsel the patient on dietary changes.
Two standardized patient cases were used: (1) a patient with prediabetes
and (2) a patient with borderline hypertension. In both cases, actors were
scripted to begin in the precontemplation stage by expressing limited
readiness to modify their diet. Using MI techniques, students aimed to help
the patient progress toward contemplation or preparation by exploring
barriers, eliciting motivation, and identifying next steps. Realistic
obstacles such as limited time, financial constraints, and caregiving duties
were included. Encounters lasted ~25 minutes, followed by a structured
interprofessional debrief and assessed by written reflections.
RESULTS
Students reported high satisfaction with the activity, describing the
scenarios as realistic. They valued practicing MI and nutrition counseling in
a collaborative setting and noted increased confidence in team communication.
CONCLUSIONS
The event strengthened interprofessional teamwork and provided meaningful
practice in motivational interviewing. Students felt more prepared for
collaborative patient care and recognized the importance of diet in managing
early-stage chronic disease. Future plans include adding 40 medical students
and extending the debriefing period.
This interprofessional education (IPE) event was designed to provide
first-year osteopathic medical students and senior nursing students with
early experience in team-based patient counseling. The primary goal was to
apply the Transtheoretical Model of Change and motivational interviewing (MI)
techniques during simulated encounters. A secondary goal was to reinforce
nutrition counseling skills related to the DASH and Mediterranean diets for
patients with prediabetes or borderline hypertension.
METHODS
Students completed preparatory readings and video modules on motivational
interviewing, interprofessional communication, and evidence-based dietary
recommendations. Oen senior nursing student was paired with one first-year
medical student; the nursing student entered the room first to gather initial
history and then delivered an SBAR report to the medical student. Together,
the pair developed a unified plan to counsel the patient on dietary changes.
Two standardized patient cases were used: (1) a patient with prediabetes
and (2) a patient with borderline hypertension. In both cases, actors were
scripted to begin in the precontemplation stage by expressing limited
readiness to modify their diet. Using MI techniques, students aimed to help
the patient progress toward contemplation or preparation by exploring
barriers, eliciting motivation, and identifying next steps. Realistic
obstacles such as limited time, financial constraints, and caregiving duties
were included. Encounters lasted ~25 minutes, followed by a structured
interprofessional debrief and assessed by written reflections.
RESULTS
Students reported high satisfaction with the activity, describing the
scenarios as realistic. They valued practicing MI and nutrition counseling in
a collaborative setting and noted increased confidence in team communication.
CONCLUSIONS
The event strengthened interprofessional teamwork and provided meaningful
practice in motivational interviewing. Students felt more prepared for
collaborative patient care and recognized the importance of diet in managing
early-stage chronic disease. Future plans include adding 40 medical students
and extending the debriefing period.