Course Summary
This course introduces communication challenges commonly encountered in conversations with clients . It explores the qualities of effective communicators and introduces the
Motivational Interviewing (MI) mindset and principles as tools to enhance communication and reduce defensiveness. Participants will be exposed to the core MI skills (
OARS + I) and consider strategies for working with clients experiencing high perceived injustice. Through a case study and reflective discussion, clinicians will also explore how MI can shape their interactions and reflect on the kind of practitioner they aspire to be.
Format:
- 2 Video Presentations
- MCQs.
Course Objectives
- Common communication challenges encountered in conversations with clients.
- Qualities of effective therapists/helpers.
- Introduction to the Motivational Interviewing mindset:
- Understand the principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and how these can be applied in the context of allied health to enhance communication, reduce defensiveness.
- Introduction to the core foundational MI skills (OARS + I)
- An introduction to some useful strategies for clients with high perceived injustice.
- Discussion of a case study.
- Reflection on dealing with a client presenting with perceived injustice in the past. Exploration of how the MI mindset could influence this interaction.
- Reflection on yourself as a clinician. What do you want your legacy to be?
3 Ethical CEUs.
You have until 31 December 2026 to complete this course.
The OT Link is delighted to welcome Beverley Bolton [BSc Physiotherapy (Wits); MSc Medicine (Pain Management) (University of Sydney)] to present Coffee Club.
Beverley is a physiotherapist with a special interest in interdisciplinary pain management and communication skills training. She has an MSc Medicine in Pain Management through Sydney University and has additional international qualifications in Medical Communication Skills and Motivational Interviewing. • She is a founding director of the not-for-profit organisation, Train Pain Academy NPO, formed to provide interdisciplinary pain education to health care professionals managing pain and teaches the modules on Clinical Communication skills and Principles of Pain.
She is the Communication Skills coordinator at the Nelson Mandela Bay University Medical School where she has been tasked with developing and integrating communication skills throughout the MBChB curriculum. She is a recent past member of the Advisory Committee of the International Association for Communication in Healthcare (EACH). Bev has presented extensively at many international and national conferences.
