Why you should read this article:

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To learn about the principles and types of brief behaviour change interventions

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To recognise the importance of motivational interviewing in supporting behaviour change

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To identify various tools and techniques that you could use in your practice to deliver brief interventions

Nurses are well placed to deliver brief opportunistic health promotion interventions during routine encounters with patients. Brief interventions have been shown to be effective in prompting behaviour change among people who engage in harmful drinking or substance misuse. Nurses can use their communication, relationship-building and partnership-working skills to support people to consider behaviour change. This article explains the concepts that underlie brief behaviour change interventions, which include motivational interviewing and the transtheoretical model of behaviour change. The article also describes practical tools and techniques that nurses can use to deliver such interventions.