Sustaining motivational interviewing: a meta‐analysis of training studies. (29th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schwalbe, Craig S.; Oh, Hans Y.; Zweben, Allen
• Is Part Of: Addiction. Volume 109:Number 8(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1287
• Page End: 1294
• Publication Date: 2014-05-29
• Subjects: Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/add.12558
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-2140

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="add12558-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Aims</title> <p>Previous research indicates that motivational interviewing (MI) skills decline over time among participants in training workshops when post‐workshop feedback and coaching are not provided. This study explored moderators of skill retention among trainees learning MI mainly for substance use disorder treatment in real‐world treatment settings, including workshop enhancements and type and dose of post‐workshop feedback and coaching.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12558-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A meta‐analysis of training studies was conducted with studies that reported MI skills using observational measures and that included trainees from real‐world agency settings. Standardized change scores were calculated to indicate the magnitude of pre–post training change in MI skills; standardized change scores from post‐training to 3 and 6+ months follow‐up were calculated to indicate the sustainability of training gains over time. Effect sizes were aggregated using random effects models.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12558-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Twenty‐one papers that reported the effects of MI training on agency staff were included in this review. Across studies, training yielded gains in MI skills (<italic>d</italic> = 0.76). Studies that did not include feedback and/or coaching reported eroding skills over a 6‐month follow‐up (<italic>d</italic> = −0.30), whereas post‐workshop feedback/coaching sustained skills (<italic>d</italic> = 0.03). Effects of post‐workshop feedback/coaching were moderated by frequency, duration and length of training. Moreover, studies reporting low levels of attrition from training protocols showed small increases in skills over the 6‐month follow‐up period (<italic>d</italic> = 0.12), whereas studies with high attrition showed skill erosion (<italic>d</italic> = −0.29).</p> </sec> <sec id="add12558-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>On average, three to four feedback/coaching sessions over a 6‐month period sustain skills among trainees for motivational interviewing, mainly for substance use disorder treatment. However, high rates of attrition from feedback/coaching contributes to post‐workshop skill erosion.</p> </sec> </abstract>