Understanding Motivational Interviewing

Chatbots have great potential in communication skills training for health professionals using Virtual Clients. Virtual Client Conversations is an innovative, interactive platform for learning and practising communication skills using chatbots.

Virtual training tools allow for individuals and teams to practice and build confidence before treating patients. Chatbots used for education present an opportunity for learners to practice communication skills, reinforce learnings, and build confidence within a safe space.

Virtual Client Conversations has been researched and developed to provide accurate and simple responses. Unlike many chatbots, which can generate confusing or incorrect responses, Virtual Client Conversations has been developed to scaffold learning within a structured conversation, allowing learners to practise their conversation skills without the conversation going off track.

Training participants commented on the inclusion of the chatbot as part of the "great resources and variety of modules in keeping learning interesting.

The aim of this course is for you to be able to:

1. Understand the principles and processes of Motivational Interviewing
2. Apply Motivational Interviewing skills through interaction with virtual client chatbots
3. Identify Motivational Interviewing skills and processes in a provided scenario.