Can motivational interviewing follow-up calls improve the implementation and retention of a specific communication support (Key Word Sign) by staff supporting people with an intellectual disability? A pilot project

Background: This study examined whether Motivational Interviewing (MI) follow-up calls improved the extent to which a specific therapeutic technique (Key Word Sign) presented in training was retained and implemented by staff supporting people with an intellectual disability. Method: Thirty-eight residential support workers who attended Key Word Sign (KWS) training were divided into three groups. One group received post training MI follow-up calls, the second received non-MI “check-in control” (CIC) follow-up calls and the third received no follow-up calls. Results: Both follow-up conditions outperformed the no follow-up condition on KWS knowledge retention and use. No significant differences were noted between the MI and CIC condition in this study. Conclusion: The results highlight the value of post-training follow-up in promoting knowledge retention and implementation of skills. Methodological challenges (including treatment fidelity issues across groups) prevented firm conclusions about the impact of MI from being drawn.