The effect of a brief motivational intervention on community psychiatric patients' attitudes to their care, motivation to change, compliance and outcome: A case control study

Background: Individuals referred to psychiatric services are often ambivalent about service involvement. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a brief motivational intervention during initial consultation with community psychiatric patients. Method: 45 patients referred to a Community Mental Health Team received an initial consultation followed by a feedback letter, both of which drew on the principles of motivational interviewing. These users were compared with matched controls who received a standard psychiatric assessment. The impact of the initial consultation, with or without motivational enhancement, on users' attitudes to their care, motivation to change, compliance and outcome was assessed at one month post-consultation and 3-4 months later. Results: After initial consultation, patients in both groups had similar problem severity ratings. Those patients who had received the intervention were more motivated to change, and had more positive attitudes to their consultation and care. Attitudinal differences tended to persist up to 3-4 months follow-up. Conclusions: A brief motivational intervention has at least short-term effects on motivation, and it improves attitude to care.