This integrative seminar course explores the interplay between communication, cultural competence, and psychosocial awareness in professional physical therapy practice. Students will refine their therapeutic communication skills, including the application of Motivational Interviewing, while critically examining how their personal experiences, beliefs, and cultural lenses influence patient care and clinical decision-making. Emphasis will be placed on the therapeutic relationship, the clinician’s role in health behavior change, and understanding patients' diverse cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. Through this self-reflective and discussion-based course, students will become more adaptable, empathetic, and culturally responsive healthcare professionals.
Motivational Interviewing: The course will include an introduction to the theory and practice of Motivational Interviewing in health care. Motivational interviewing is a part of knowledge translation within the profession that facilitates health behavior change by furthering a patient’s intrinsic motivation toward change. It has been studied in a wide array of health behaviors, including addiction, diet, exercise, and treatment adherence. Motivational Interviewing supports our curricular objectives around patient centered communication, utilizing evidence based practices, and facilitating health behavior change.