This topic might seem like it is from left field. But behaviour change is one of the most important outcomes that can be achieved from our communication!

The whole reason we communicate with patients is to provide information and advice that will lead them to changing their behaviour and way they're responding to pain and injury.

Want them to do their stretches or exercises? That's behaviour change!

Want them to follow through on a referral you've given? That's behaviour change!

Some patients come to us already at a stage of changing their behaviour where us simply providing the information on how to change is enough for them to enact change. But many patients attend in a stage where they aren't even contemplating the need for change to improve their health, pain or injury. Therefore we are part of the process for helping them make that change!

In this section Alex will go through the process of all humans go through when looking to change their behaviour and how we as practitioners can understand each stage and adapt our approach and communication to better facilitate behaviour change in our patients. He will also discuss Motivational Interviewing, an evidence-based communication style that helps guides people to utilise their own motivation for change to drive healthier behaviours.