Developing Undergraduate Use of OARS: Skill Building for Senior Year Kinesiology Students

Abstract

This article discusses course development, teaching, instructional methods and skills acquisition in motivational interviewing (MI) for kinesiology students completing a health coaching course in their senior year of undergraduate studies. The paper outlines how students 1) conducted a brief MI session, 2) applied open questions, affirmations, reflections and summaries (OARS) during a brief MI session and 3) identified the use and quality of OARS through the use of a range of learner centered practices (Weimer, 2002) including multi source feedback opportunities and approaches based on Kolb’s (1984) experiential learning cycle. The authors provide ten recommendations for educators and trainers to help them develop their practice in the teaching, learning and assessment of MI in undergraduate students or new-to-MI learners.