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Diet & Exercise Counseling

Use MI techniques to counsel a patient with newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes who is overwhelmed by the need for lifestyle changes.

  1. 1
    Briefing
  2. 2
    Simulation
  3. 3
    Feedback

How This Works

This is an interactive phone call simulation. You'll speak with Mr. Smith in a realistic clinical communication scenario.

1. Start Call

Click "Start Call" when you're ready. Speak naturally as you would on a real call.

2. Have the Conversation

10 minutes to complete the call. The AI responds in real-time to what you say.

3. Get Feedback

End the call when finished. You'll receive AI-powered feedback on your communication.

💡 Tip: Speak clearly and at a natural pace. If you need a moment to think, it's okay to pause briefly - just as you would in a real conversation.

Briefing Details

1. Learning: The Spirit of Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Purpose of this Scenario

This scenario is designed to help you practice Motivational Interviewing (MI), a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person's own motivation and commitment to change. When a patient is diagnosed with a new chronic illness like diabetes, they are often overwhelmed. MI is a powerful tool to help them navigate their feelings and build confidence (self-efficacy) that they can make necessary lifestyle changes. The core skills of MI are summarized by the acronym OARS.

The OARS Framework

  • Open-Ended Questions: Ask questions that can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." They invite the patient to tell their story. (e.g., "How have you been feeling since you got the diagnosis?")
  • Affirmations: Acknowledge the patient's strengths and past efforts. This builds self-efficacy. (e.g., "It sounds like you've tried hard to lose weight in the past. That's not easy to do.")
  • Reflections: Listen carefully and reflect back what you hear. This shows you're listening and helps the patient hear their own thoughts. (e.g., "It sounds like this diagnosis is really scary, and you're worried you won't be able to make these changes.")
  • Summaries: Periodically summarize the conversation to reinforce key points and demonstrate that you've been listening.

2. Scenario Briefing: The Overwhelmed Patient

Your Objective

Your objective is to have a conversation with Mr. Smith, a 45-year-old man who was just diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and is overwhelmed. Using the OARS framework, you must help him process the news, build his confidence, and collaboratively identify one small, achievable first step.

Patient Background

Mr. Smith is a 45-year-old who is here for his follow-up visit after routine labs showed a high blood sugar and an A1c consistent with Type 2 Diabetes. He is overweight and has a sedentary job.

Crucial Information: Mr. Smith feels a sense of failure and hopelessness. He has tried to lose weight many times in the past without success. He believes he is "doomed to fail" and is having trouble engaging with the plan.

Learning Objectives

Optional prep details

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Optional Pre-Call Knowledge Check

Optional self-check before you start

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This scenario requires an account. Sign in to begin the simulation.

After completing this scenario, you will be able to:

  • Apply core Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques (OARS) to explore a patient's ambivalence about lifestyle changes.
  • Demonstrate the 'Spirit of MI' (Partnership, Acceptance, Compassion, Evocation) in a conversation with an overwhelmed patient.
  • Utilize shared decision-making to collaboratively identify one small, manageable first step for the patient to take.

According to the 'Spirit of MI', what is the primary role of the clinician in a conversation about behavior change?

When a patient with a new Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis feels overwhelmed, what is the most appropriate initial MI-based approach?

To support shared decision-making, which of the following is the best example of a 'small, manageable first step' to suggest to an overwhelmed patient with new Type 2 Diabetes?