Assessing the integrity of motivational interviewing interventions: Reliability of the motivational interviewing skills code

The motivational interviewing skills code (MISC) was used to review 86 audiotaped interactions between clinicians and patients participating in a smoking cessation intervention. Intraclass correlations (ICCs) were completed for two of the MISC elements: global evaluations and behavior counts. Results indicate 75% of the global ratings yielded ICCs in the good to excellent range, while only 44% of the behavior counts yielded this level of accuracy. Adherence scores were created to form overall ratings of clinician adherence to using motivational interviewing and 80% of these competence measures yielded ICCs in the good to excellent range. Specific recommendations regarding modifications for the MISC are suggested based on the data presented.