Clients are most likely to be motivated, when a health professional:

• is empathetic
• promotes patient decision-making
• promotes choice
• avoids arguments
• identifies client’s previous successes (8)

5 R’s to Enhancing Client Motivation

RELEVANCE

Why specifically should this client focus on making a lifestyle change? (Usually one focus for change at a time is recommended)

RISK

What specific risk could be reduced for this client?

REWARDS

What benefits to health can the client expect?

ROADBLOCKS

What barriers are the client facing and what solutions can the client think of to overcome them?

REPETITION

Repeating clinical intervention each time the client is seen increases motivation for change

Client trying and trying again leads to success over time in changing behaviour

(9)