Match each patient statement or scenario representing a stage in the Transtheoretical Model of Change (left) with the most appropriate physician counseling strategy (right).
- A 45-year-old man with alcoholic hepatitis says, "I know drinking is hurting my liver, but I really enjoy socializing with my friends at the bar."Explore ambivalence by discussing the pros and cons of behavior change in a non-judgmental manner.
- A 32-year-old woman says, "I bought a gym membership and new running shoes yesterday, but I am not sure exactly when I will start working out."Assist in establishing a specific start date and formulating a concrete, achievable action plan.
- A 55-year-old man with uncontrolled hypertension says, "I feel perfectly fine, so I do not see why I need to take these blood pressure pills."Validate the patient's current perspective and provide personalized information about health risks without pressuring for immediate change.
- A 28-year-old woman says, "I stopped vaping three months ago, but sometimes I still get strong urges when I am stressed at work."Reinforce the current success and collaboratively develop coping strategies for high-risk triggers.
Answer
The scenarios match their respective stages of change: Precontemplation (unaware of problem) matches with providing information without pressure; Contemplation (ambivalent) matches with exploring pros and cons; Preparation (getting ready) matches with setting a specific start date; Action (recently changed) matches with relapse prevention and coping strategies.
Matching the counseling strategy to the patient's specific readiness stage maximizes the effectiveness of the intervention. Precontemplation requires gentle awareness-building; contemplation requires exploring ambivalence; preparation requires concrete planning; and action requires relapse prevention.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change) and Stage-Matched Interventions