Motivational Interviewing Skills - Hypertension

Key wellness strategies, self-care techniques, and productivity tips discussed

• Use motivational interviewing to align treatment with the patient’s lived reality

  • Explore the patient’s schedule constraints (work + grandchild care) and barriers to medication (bothersome side effects).
  • Reflect concerns and reinforce that the patient’s goals matter (e.g., energy to enjoy time with the grandchild).

• Address medication non-adherence using a “readiness to change” approach

  • Ask the patient how ready they are to make a change on a scale of 1–10.
  • Reinforce readiness and commitment once the patient rates high readiness.

• Reframe the problem: “Feeling fine” vs. unseen risk

  • Clarify that hypertension may have no symptoms, even when readings are high.
  • Emphasize future risk (e.g., stroke/heart attack) even if the patient feels well today.

• Create a practical adherence plan that fits daily life

  • Set alarms at home and on a cell phone for medication timing.
  • Use reminders from family (ask the patient’s daughter to help remind them).
  • Consider discussing medication regimen changes with the doctor to reduce side effects (e.g., adjust which pills are used or how they’re taken).
  • Implement supportive lifestyle changes already planned:
    • Exercise
    • Diet changes

• Self-monitoring / tracking

  • Review blood pressure readings and labs with the patient to help them understand the situation.
  • Use the written notes strategy:
    • Write down ideas to make follow-through easier.

• Goal-directed next steps

  • Choose the first action: talk with the doctor about changing the regimen.
  • Plan follow-up for continued support and adjustments.

Presenters / sources

• Miguel (patient)
• Doctor / clinician (healthcare provider mentioned; name not given)
• Indra (appears to be the follow-up scheduler/clinician mentioned by name)