“Adapted” Motivational Interviewing to Engage Hospital Nurses in Fall Prevention Education

Abstract

Hospital nurses often experience challenges when teaching older adults about fall prevention strategies. The goal of this project was to provide evidence-based training to hospital nurses to facilitate patient engagement with fall prevention measures. Methods: An “Adapted” Motivational Interviewing (MI) for fall prevention (AMIFP) training in acute care was developed and introduced to nurses as part of a Veterans Affairs-Nursing Academic Partnership (VANAP) initiative. Pre/post surveys were completed by 61 nurses (71% response rate) at an acute care hospital in the United States. Results: After the single AMIFP training, nurses reported having increased knowledge about patient engagement related to fall prevention. Moreover, feelings of confidence related to using some MI skills for fall prevention increased after training. Conclusion: Even a brief AMIFP training for nurses can have a positive impact on improving hospital nurses’ knowledge and attitudes to engage patients in fall prevention education.