@article {FosterP743, author = {Juliet Foster and Lorraine Smith and Tim Usherwood and Susan Sawyer and Helen Reddel}, title = {Do general practitioners use effective communication for discussing patients{\textquoteright} adherence with asthma medications?}, volume = {40}, number = {Suppl 56}, elocation-id = {P743}, year = {2012}, publisher = {European Respiratory Society}, abstract = {Introduction: Use of empathic communication techniques such as Motivational Interviewing (MI) can improve patients{\textquoteright} motivation to adhere to medication. Aim: To investigate general practitioners{\textquoteright} (GPs) attitudes to and use of MI. Methods: Fifty-three Sydney-based GPs (mean age 51, mean yrs. practicing 22, 55\% male) entering a study to improve asthma control completed baseline questionnaires about attitudes to MI principles, usefulness, frequency of use and confidence in using MI techniques with asthma patients. Chi-square was used to test categorical differences. Results: 72\% of GPs felt confident in motivating patients to adhere and 94\% of GPs agreed it is their role to do so. When discussing adherence, only 53\% of GPs commonly (often/always) asked patients to nominate their most important asthma problem. 23\% rarely (never/hardly ever) asked for patients{\textquoteright} interest in information; patients were more commonly (sometimes/often/always) asked about this by male than female GPs (90\% vs. 63\% p=0.01). Only 55\% of GPs agreed they should respect a patient{\textquoteright}s choice to use medication differently than prescribed. 72\% thought confronting patients with negative consequences was useful to improve adherence and more younger GPs rated this as useful (moderately-extremely) than older GPs (79\% vs. 64\% p=0.02). GPs in disadvantaged districts rated stressing the importance of medication for disease control more useful (very-extremely) than other GPs (96\% vs. 67\% p=0.04). Conclusion: GPs report confidence in motivating patients to take asthma medications, but sub-optimally use effective communication skills. GP education on MI may promote patients{\textquoteright} adherence in primary care.}, issn = {0903-1936}, URL = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P743}, eprint = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P743.full.pdf}, journal = {European Respiratory Journal} }