Michał meets with Richard 5 days later as an outpatient. This assessment will integrate both physical and psychological components using behavioural change approaches.
Agenda setting is a good way to focus on the main concerns and avoid lecturing the patient or ‘talking in monologue’. Let’s look at these in relation to Michał.
The CR professional encourages Michał by using an agenda setting tool which illustrates areas of lifestyle management that she asks Michał to consider. Michał admits he is concerned about his future heart health. The CR professional explains that although Michał did not have his heart operation because of cardiac disease, it will be important for his future cardiac health to look over aspects of his lifestyle.
Richard then asks Michał to consider how important these changes are to him and how confident he is to change using another tool called a Readiness Ruler.
The Readiness Ruler – Is a structured and directive way of enabling patients to say how they feel about a particular change within a couple of minutes.
Pulse point
Always remember that while every patient consultation is an opportunity for health behaviour change, lifestyle advice alone may not be sufficient to motivate the patient for change. It is helpful to focus collaboratively on areas the patient agrees to discuss. Consider upskilling yourself in motivational interviewing techniques or try the Public Health Scotland Health Behaviour Change e-module.
Page last reviewed: 27 Jul 2020
