Health Behavior Change: A Guide for Practitioners

Compliance with medications and treatment regimens is recognized as a major component in obtaining positive outcomes with patients. Compliance failure can contribute to a lack of success in getting patients to treatment goals and result in unnecessary costs in the delivery of health care. Today, we are seeing renewed interest in this component of our professional practice and the delivery of pharmaceutical care. Practitioners in pharmacy and other health care fields are realizing that the traditional teaching methods of many practitioners are not producing optimal outcomes for patients. Health Behavior Change was written for health care professionals to use in health care settings. The goal of the book, according to the authors, is to “promote greater flexibility and skillfulness in the consultation about behavior change.” The methodology outlined in this book is derived from a patient-centered approach and a level of action based on negotiation. It is directed to both health promotion consultations and to the management of many chronic conditions and illnesses. The three authors of the book have done considerable research in motivational interviewing and behavior change. They have served as researchers, practitioners, and trainers, which allows them to knowledgeably apply theory to practice in a way that readers can understand. Rollnick is a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at the University of Wales, Mason is a nurse and training consultant with a private firm, and Butler is a general practitioner and lecturer at the University of Wales.