Motivational interviewing (MI) is essential for pharmacists as it enhances medication adherence, improves patient health outcomes, and fosters a trusting patient-provider relationship. By using MI, pharmacists can effectively explore patients' concerns and motivations, addressing issues such as fear of side effects, cost barriers, and lifestyle challenges in a compassionate, patient-centered manner. 

This approach not only empowers patients to commit to their health goals—such as lifestyle changes in diet, exercise, and smoking cessation—but also expands the pharmacist's role beyond dispensing medications, enabling them to participate more fully in comprehensive healthcare. Additionally, MI supports pharmacists in culturally sensitive communication and contributes to professional development and satisfaction, as it allows them to see tangible improvements in patient health and engage in meaningful interactions that affirm their impact on patient care.

MI: Providers Objectives (module one, 30 minutes)

1. Define and explain the purpose of motivational interviewing (MI). 
2. List some reasons why patients may be resistant to medications/lifestyle changes. Describe how motivational interviewing is related to the transtheoretical model of change (TMC). 
3. Summarize the benefits of using motivational interviewing techniques. 
4. Recognize ambivalence, change talk and the righting reflex. 
5. Implement at least one MI tool.

MI: Patient Scenarios Objectives (module two, 1 hour)

1. Discuss motivational interviewing (MI) techniques in role-based scenarios
2. Identify the patient’s stage of readiness in role-based scenarios
3. Identify strategies to respond to discord and sustain talk
4. Apply at least one MI too