SIG Greatest Hits: TLM 2025-Alcohol-associated Liver Disease SIG: Motivational Interviewing for Obesity and Alcohol Use Disorder: A Hands-On Workshop

Alcohol-associated Liver Disease SIG: Motivational Interviewing for Obesity and Alcohol Use Disorder: A Hands-On Workshop

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Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Scott Winder delivered an insightful talk emphasizing the importance of motivational interviewing (MI) in hepatology, particularly for managing patients with liver diseases linked to hazardous behaviors like alcohol use and unhealthy eating. He acknowledged that many hepatologists and GI doctors rarely engage in MI but highlighted its critical role in effective patient communication and care. MI is defined as a compassionate, patient-centered communication style aimed at reducing ambivalence toward change by fostering patient autonomy, empathy, and collaboration.<br /><br />Dr. Winder addressed common challenges, including patient stigma, burnout among healthcare providers, and the complexity of psychosocial issues impacting liver disease outcomes. He stressed the need for "communication hygiene," paralleling infection control in clinical care, to cultivate trust and openness. Techniques like open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries are foundational tools in MI. He urged clinicians to avoid judgment, blame, and cynicism, promoting instead unconditional positive regard and affirming patients' progress to maintain engagement.<br /><br />The talk also explored practical strategies, such as using biomarkers to open dialogue and the power of pauses in conversation. Dr. Winder showcased how interdisciplinary collaboration between hepatology and psychiatry enhances care quality. Ultimately, he encouraged clinicians to embrace motivational interviewing as a vital skill to improve patient relationships, optimize outcomes, and reduce provider burnout in caring for complex liver disease patients.

Asset Subtitle

Talk delivered by Dr. Gerald Scott Winder. Part of the Obesity and Addiction Medicine in Liver Disease course.

Keywords

motivational interviewing

hepatology

liver disease

patient communication

behavioral health

interdisciplinary collaboration

provider burnout