Training and Experience of Public Health Nurses in Using Behavior Change Counseling

• Published in: Public health Nursing 2010-11, Vol.27 (6), p.544-551
• Main Authors: Pfister-Minogue, Katherine A., Salveson, Catherine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Behavior; behavior change counseling (BCC); Behavior modification; Biological and medical sciences; Cognitive Therapy - methods; Counseling; Directive Counseling; Education; Educational Measurement; Educational Status; Feasibility Studies; Health participants; Health Status Indicators; Humans; Interpersonal communication; Interview, Psychological - methods; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Motivation; motivational interviewing (MI); Nurses; Nursing; Nursing Evaluation Research; Psychometrics; Public Health Nursing - methods; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Reproducibility of Results; Rural Population; Skills; Stress, Psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tape Recording; Training; training nurses in behavior change counseling; Workshops
• ISSN: 0737-1209; 1525-1446
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2010.00884.x

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and usefulness of a behavior change counseling (BCC) training program for public health nurses to facilitate behavior change in patients. Design and Sample: This was a quasi‐experimental feasibility study. Twelve rural public health nurses participated in the study. Measures: Nurses participated in a 1‐day BCC training workshop and 2 follow‐up telephone calls within 8 weeks. Their pre‐ and posttraining BCC skills were evaluated based on audio‐taped interactions using the Behavior Change Counseling Index (BECCI). Additionally, interviews were conducted with the nurses to understand their experience with the training in the use of BCC in their practice. Results: Descriptive statistics demonstrated increased BECCI scores after training. Nurses described the training workshop as valuable. Training in BCC helped nurses realize and improve their communication skills to facilitate patients' behavior changes. Nurses believed that additional training using BCC techniques in typical patient situations would help them improve their skill and confidence in using this method. Conclusion: Nurses found BCC to be a useful tool to facilitate patients' behavioral changes. Although training resulted in increased skill in using BCC, nurses felt that they needed additional training to master BCC skills.