Introduction

Behaviours which may be injurious to health are widespread in our society – smoking, hazardous drinking, inadequate diet, lack of exercise – and many chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, require lifestyle behaviour change as part of their management. Changing such behaviours can be difficult, requiring time and considerable effort and motivation.

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person’s own motivation and commitment for change. Research shows that with appropriate training, MI may be used by various health workers to facilitate change of addictive and unhealthy behaviours. The health behaviour change programme has the potential to strengthen significantly the health workforce skill base needed to address several objectives of Aotearoa New Zealand Health and Disability strategies.

The Health Behaviour Change endorsement of the Postgraduate Diploma of Health Sciences, the Master of Health Sciences, and the Master of Health Sciences Professional Practice will prepare you to be employable and/or provide leadership in promoting healthy behaviours within Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.