Transtheoretical model of change

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How do you get your patients to change their bad health behaviors? In the Transtheoretical model of change it states that nurses need to get the patients on board with changing their health behaviors toward a better life. Nurses with experience. Have you given up or do you try to still get them to change? If so, How did you? What are some of your tips/tricks? so to speak?

In my book it states: Asking an open-ended question may stimulate the patient to identify a reason to change behavior. Nurses are challenged to motivate and facilitate change in health behavior when working with individuals.

However, I can't seem to see changes with frequent patients? Do you see patients change there behaviors? if so when/why did they? Was it something you said/did?

Thanks for your input from more experienced nurses.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Just reading "Transtheoretical model of change" makes my eyes glaze over. If you're looking down the barrel of a 45 that's pointed at you, one can appreciate the danger associated with imminent death knocking at the door and what to do to escape it without much persuasion. Otherwise patient reception is from horizon to horizon as to how to get the message across for lifestyle change as it relates to accelerated death or disability - whichever is worse. You just keep throwing as many starfish back into the sea as you can - theoretically.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Ah Prochaska! It's not a way of forcing change- but rather a means of describing change in (particularly) addictions/ unhealthy habits.

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