Keywords

motivational interviewing, burnout, empathic communication model, empathic concern, emotional contagion, perspective-taking

Abstract

The study of patient–provider communication rarely considers the impact of provider–patient dialogue on providers themselves. This dissertation explores why motivational interviewing (MI) has been shown to reduce burnout among health care providers who use it. Using the empathic communication model (ECM) as a lens, it examines possible explanations for how MI contributes to lower burnout in providers. A mixed‑methods approach was used, consisting of a survey‑based quantitative study and a qualitative study using semi‑structured interviews. The quantitative study surveyed physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Participants were asked questions assessing their knowledge of MI, the types of empathy they experience (empathic concern, perspective-taking, emotional contagion), their communicative responsiveness, the meaning they derive from their work, and their levels of burnout. Survey variables were analyzed to examine their associations with one another. Results showed that MI was associated with ECM variables such as empathic concern and further pointed to the relevance of perspective‑taking and meaning as additions to the model. The qualitative study included physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, as well as members of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). Semi‑structured interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings from the qualitative data similarly emphasized the importance of perspective‑taking and meaning. Together, both studies point toward a deeper understanding of how MI may reduce provider burnout. Taken as a whole, the findings support MI as a communicative pathway for reducing burnout and extend ECM by highlighting perspective‑taking and meaning as key mechanisms for reducing burnout.

Completion Date

2026

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Ann Miller

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Nicholson School of Communication

Format

PDF

Document Type

Thesis

Identifier

DP0053250

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