Drumming for Change

Drumming for Change Talk

'''Abstract''':
The trainer reads a list of client statements, and participants try to identify which are change talk.

'''Overview''':
Prepare a list of client statements, intermixing change talk, sustain talk, and other kinds of statements. In general, it is best to identify a clear target behavior or change goal, because change talk cannot be defined except in relation to a goal.

'''Guidelines''':
Clearly describe what constitutes change talk and what does not. Draw on the coding manuals for [[MISC]] or [[MITI]] for clarity. Tell participants that you are going to read a list of client statements in relation to a behavior change goal of ________________, and they should drum on the desk (lap) when they hear one that they believe is change talk.

'''Example''':
Change Target: Improved Glycemic Control
Component behaviors: Diet, Exercise, Medication, Monitoring, Stress management
1. I think I'm doing about as well as I can at this point.
2. I certainly don't want to go blind. (R)
3. I've just always disliked exercise.
4. I really hate pricking my finger!
5. Well, I wouldn't mind cutting down on stress in my life. (D)
6. I probably could exercise more. (A)
7. Yes, I'm going to take my medication every day. (C*)
8. It's really hard to stay on a strict diet.
9. But I love chocolate!
10. I used to exercise regularly.
11. I've got to get my blood sugar under control! (N)
12. I'm going to get my blood sugar under control. (C*)
13. I'm willing to take oral medication, but I don't want to take insulin shots. (C*)
14. There's no way I want to take insulin.
15. I would like to lose some weight. (D)
16. I don't think I really have diabetes.
17. I wouldn't mind checking my blood sugar once or twice a day. (D?)
18. I don't like watching what I eat. I mean I guess I have to, but I don't like feeling restricted. (N)
19. I wish I could have less stress in my life. (D)
19. I might be able to cut down on sweets. (A)
20. I'm not much on eating vegetables. I guess I'll eat more of them, but I don't enjoy them. (C*)
21. It's pretty scary thinking about losing my feet. (R)
22. I'll think about eating more fruit. (C*)
23. I heard that taking chromium can help with blood sugar levels.
24. I hope to take off about twenty pounds. (C*)
25. I certainly don't want to wind up on dialysis. (R)
26. I started keeping track of what I ate this week. (TS)
27. I bought a glucose monitor and read the manual. (TS)
28. What kinds of things do I have to eat?
29. There's no way I'm joining a gym.
30. I don't mind walking, but I'm not going to a gym. (D*)
31. I want to be a better parent.

'''Notes''':
The “right” answers in this exercise should be clearly correct – ones on which coders would definitely agree that it is change talk. This can generate fruitful discussion about what constitutes change talk, and there certainly are grey areas where coders do not agree.

Contributed by: Steve Berg-Smith and Bill Miller