USDA: Innovation Research Grant for MIsavvy
Research shows that motivational interviewing (MI) is an effective counseling methodology for dietitians and nutritionists to use in helping clients make healthy behavioral changes. When used properly, it has been proven to reduce obesity in all demographics, and improve healthy behaviors.
It’s challenging, however, for dietitians and nutritionists to find good training options that help them practice and master MI techniques. To overcome this challenge, we developed a prototype online training program, MIsavvy, and conducted a research study to test its effectiveness.
MIsavvy includes a four-week online curriculum, as well as a learning management system (LMS) to administer it. Funded by a Phase I Small Business Innovation research grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, we conducted a study to test the effectiveness of the program, which provided online modeling, practice, and skills development with MI techniques. Dietitian study participants reported that MIsavvy helped them increase their knowledge of MI (93% of users) and improve their skills (87% of users). We’re continuing to develop and study the MIsavvy program to create a leading online MI training that will help dietitians work with their clients more effectively.
“This research was supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under Agreement No. 2015-33610-23589 of the Small Business Innovation Research Grants Program. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the view of the USDA.”
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