Journal Club 7: Tele-Motivational Interviewing for Cancer Survivors: Feasibility, Preliminary Efficacy, and Lessons Learned

Motivational interviewing targets individual ambivalence surrounding behavior change. It has demonstrated efficacy for changing multiple challenging behaviors, including those related to dietary and physical activity patterns. It also has utility in remote platforms to allow autonomy in selection of methods of communication. This includes cancer survivors, as well as other high risk populations, in encouraging adherence to evidence-based recommendations.

Colleen Spees, PhD, MEd, RDN, LD, FAND, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Dr. Spees is an Associate Professor at Ohio State, and her lab, Hope Lab, focuses on evaluating biomarkers of biobehavorial interventions in vulnerable populations. Her currently funded projects include assessing modifiable lifestyle behaviors associated with low-resource families and cancer survivors. Dr. Spees is a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, executive member the Academy’s Nutrition Access and Cancer Health Outcomes Committee, recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Practice Award, and 3-time winner of the Award for Excellence in Oncology Nutrition Research.

Ashlea Braun, MS, RDN, LD, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Ashlea Braun is a doctoral candidate and Clinical Research Dietitian in the Hope Lab at Ohio State. Her work focuses on the use of motivational interviewing to facilitate sustainable behavior change in high-risk populations. She has been recognized at the local, state, and national level for her contributions to the study of nutrition and behavior change, including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Anita Owen Award of Recognition for Innovative Nutrition Education, and being named a Young Dietitian of the Year in 2017.