Ep 87 – Integrated Primary Care and Motivational Interviewing

This episode explores motivational interviewing within the context of integrated primary care in the United States. Against the backdrop of the opioid epidemic, clinical psychologist Dan Mullin details his journey into motivational interviewing, highlighting its effectiveness in high-stakes situations where patients may be ambivalent about change. More significantly, the discussion pivots to Mullin's work at the University of Massachusetts, where he directs the Center for Integrated Primary Care. He outlines four key principles guiding this model: access, coordination, continuity, and comprehensiveness, emphasizing a collaborative, team-based approach that reduces stigma and improves patient outcomes. For instance, Mullin describes how readily available services and warm handoffs between medical and behavioral health professionals create a supportive environment where the default answer to patient needs is "yes." This collaborative model fosters a shared language among practitioners, utilizing motivational interviewing principles to empower patients and promote their autonomy. What this means for the future of healthcare is a potential shift towards more holistic, patient-centered care that prioritizes empathy and collaboration across disciplines.