The effects of MI training on physiotherapists' behaviour and beliefs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effects of a motivational interviewing training programme for low back pain on the behaviour, attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists
IRAS ID
71363
Contact name
Lesley Haig
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London South Bank University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 21 days
Research summary
This research aims to investigate the effects of training physiotherapists in a collaborative, person-centred form of guiding, known as motivational interviewing (MI), which can be used to elicit and strengthen motivation for change. The research proposes to measure the effects of an MI training programme on physiotherapist behaviour (in terms of consistency with an MI approach), and on the attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists in relation to low back pain (LBP). A minimum of 20 physiotherapists will be recruited from a Community Healthcare Trust in West London. Physiotherapists will be excluded if they have received formal training in an MI approach previously. Physiotherapists will be allocated on a convenience basis to an MI-training Group or Comparison Group based on their availability to attend the training, and thereafter on a first come, first included basis so that there are equal numbers (10)in each group. The training programme will consist of two days' formal training and monthly coaching sessions. Each physiotherapist will be asked to complete a brief demographic questionnaire prior to starting the study. In addition each physiotherapist will be asked to complete the following prior to and at three and six months after the training period: three Visual Analogue Scales rating their proficiency, confidence and intention to use MI; and two scales measuring their attitudes and beliefs in relation to chronic LBP. Physiotherapist behaviour will be measured by coding two audio-recorded initial assessment sessions with persistent LBP patients. This will be carried out prior to training and at three and six months after the training period. Recordings will be analysed using an MI behaviour coding tool. All MI Training Group physiotherapists will be interviewed six months after the training period to evaluate their experiences of putting MI training into clinical practice.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2274
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion