Motivational Interviewing as a Way to Help Rural South Dakota Patients Who Smoke

Cigarette smoking is a problematic health risk factor leading to many chronic complications. These complications include cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Cigarette smoking is a modifiable risk factor. This project aimed to increase an individual’s readiness and motivational level to quit smoking. This was a quality improvement project that took place in a rural Midwestern clinic. Motivational interviewing (MI) education and techniques were provided to the clinic provider. Then, a six week intervention period was carried out to determine if use of MI techniques made a difference in the participant’s motivation and readiness to quit levels. The results demonstrated a statistically significant change in the participant’s readiness to quit levels. Furthermore, a statistically significant positive correlation was demonstrated regarding a participant’s addiction level and pre- intervention levels. This project suggests MI techniques can be effectively utilized in the rural adult smoking population. The small sample size does recommend this process be repeated in the future.