A new Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) initiative is set to improve healthcare delivery across Wales by equipping professionals with essential communication skills through Motivational Interviewing (MI). This eLearning is designed to benefit all professions including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, primary care teams, community care providers, radiotherapy services and all healthcare professionals engaged in patient care, both in clinical and non-clinical roles.
Supporting Welsh Government priorities
This initiative aligns with key Welsh Government priorities, including principles outlined in the A Healthier Wales strategy, as well as the Strategic Nursing Workforce Plan and Strategic Perinatal Workforce Plan. It also complements the objectives of HEIW’s Integrated Medium-Term Plan (IMTP) and annual planning processes to ensure sustainable, effective healthcare services.
The current focus is on creating MI E-learning resources that will empower healthcare professionals with the skills to engage patients effectively. By fostering a patient-centred approach, MI enhances communication, leading to better adherence to treatment plans and improved health outcomes.
Why motivational interviewing matters
Effective communication is crucial in healthcare, particularly in challenging patient interactions. MI is a proven approach that helps healthcare professionals encourage positive health behaviours, improve adherence to treatment and ultimately support better patient outcomes.
Who is involved?
This initiative will impact the entire healthcare workforce, including professionals in primary, community, and secondary care. A wide range of healthcare teams across Wales have been engaged to ensure real-life examples and a representative approach to training.
When will it be available?
The E-learning modules are currently in development and are expected to be available by the end of the year. To ensure quality, MI experts are involved in content creation, with user evaluations guiding improvements before the official launch.
Impact on healthcare services
The initiative will benefit hospital and community-based services across Wales, including all health boards and care settings. The workforce transformation team, in collaboration with MI experts, are driving the development of this training.
How to get involved
You do not have to register your interest in this learning. Please keep an eye on the HEIW website and HEIW social media channels for updates and announcements once the learning becomes available on Y Ty Dysgu.
Long-term benefits for patient care
Integrating Motivational Interviewing approaches into daily practice will enhance patient interactions, increase care quality and improve efficiency and safety. By equipping professionals with skills in MI approaches, the workforce can provide compassionate, collaborative, and person-centred care, ultimately supporting better health outcomes.
Addressing key healthcare challenges
Healthcare professionals often face difficulties engaging patients—particularly those overwhelmed, resistant, or uncertain about their treatment or behaviour change. Poor communication can result in low adherence, missed prevention opportunities, and suboptimal health outcomes.
How this training helps
By embedding MI approaches, healthcare professionals can engage patients more effectively, empowering them to take an active role in their health. Research has shown that MI enhances adherence to treatment and helps patients make positive behavioural changes.
Evidence of effectiveness
Over 2,000 controlled trials and 200 systematic reviews and meta-analyses confirm MI’s effectiveness. Studies highlight that persuasion-based approaches often lead patients to resist change, while MI fosters collaborative conversations that support lasting health improvements.
Rebecca Boore, Associate Director of Workforce Transformation (Nursing and Midwifery) at HEIW, a key advocate for the initiative, states:
"Developing motivational interviewing e-learning equips our multi-professional workforce with the skills to engage meaningfully with individuals. This training strengthens our collective ability to support behaviour change, improving health and wellbeing. By embedding these techniques across the workforce, we enhance person-centred care while driving population-level impact through more preventative, compassionate, and effective conversations."
With its potential to transform patient-centred healthcare, this ground-breaking initiative represents a crucial step forward for Wales’ healthcare system.
Please contact heiw.nursingworkforceplan@wales.nhs.uk for further information.