Facilitating Dietary Change: The Patient-Centered Counseling Model

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8223(01)00086-4Get rights and content

Abstract

Recent data indicate that the patient-centered counseling model enhances long-term dietary adherence. This model facilitates change by assessing patient needs and subsequently tailoring the intervention to the patient’s stage in the process of change, personal goals, and unique challenges. This article describes this model, including its theoretical foundations, a 4step counseling process, and applications. This behavioral counseling model can help nutrition professionals enhance patient adherence to nutrition care plans and dietary guidelines. J Am Diet Assoc. 2001;101:332-338,341.

Section snippets

Theoretical Foundation of Patient-Centered Counseling

The model for patient-centered counseling reflects principles from several research-supported theories and models: Consumer Information Processing Theory, the Health Belief Model, the Stages of Change Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and Behavioral Self-Management Principles, each of which are briefly described below.

Consumer Information Processing Theory (CIP) postulates that information must not only be available but also wanted or believed to be useful to the consumer, and the consumer must

The Patient-Centered Counseling Steps

The objectives of patient-centered counseling for dietary change are to: a) increase the patient’s awareness of his/her diet-related risks; b) provide the patient with nutrition knowledge; c) increase the patient’s confidence in his/her ability to make dietary changes; and d) enhance skills needed for long-term adherence to dietary change plans. The patient-centered counseling model helps nutritionist professionals tailor the intervention to the patient. Patient-centered counseling involves a

Applications

Patient-centered counseling has widespread application for nutritionists in a variety of clinical, community and public health specialties. Previous research using the counseling techniques described herein provides empirical evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach (8), (9). Formal education in behavioral strategies for promoting dietary change needs to be emphasized more in dietetic training and continuing education programs. Training should include the theoretical basis for

References (21)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

View full text