Considering the use of motivational interviewing for nurse practitioner practice with Aboriginal clients

The purpose of this scholarly project was to explore how motivational interviewing (MI) as a behaviour change intervention may be used with Aboriginal clients by nurse practitioners (NPs) in primary health care settings. Four systematic peer-reviewed articles with meta-analyses were located through a literature search of 11 databases, annotated, and evaluated for empirical evidence supporting its use in clinical practice by health care professionals. Four themes relevant to the application of MI by NPs were identified across the four articles: dose of MI, target behaviours, practitioner training in MI, and the essential components of MI. Project findings provide support for the use of MI with Aboriginal clients, in order to influence health behvioural change. It is proposed, that based on a potential theoretical fit between MI and Aboriginal concepts of health, such as interconnectedness, balance, and respect. Aboriginal clients might be more receptive of an intervention that is flexible enough to incorporate an Aboriginal worldview. The project concludes with a discussion of the implications MI has for nurse practitioner practice.