From Conversation to Change: New Training for Health Professionals

Healthcare professionals across Hertfordshire are being invited to register their interest in a new training programme designed to strengthen conversations about physical activity and support patients to make positive, sustainable lifestyle changes. 

Motivational Interviewing: Physical Activity Conversation Skills combines the proven principles of Motivational Interviewing with Active Medicine training, giving healthcare professionals practical tools to help patients overcome barriers and embrace movement as part of their everyday health and wellbeing management. 

Building on the success of the one-hour Active Medicine training, which has already equipped more than 800 health professionals across 15 Hertfordshire Primary Care Networks with the confidence to discuss physical activity, this new extended programme takes conversational skills and behaviour change techniques to the next level, providing practical techniques to support lasting change. 

The training is particularly relevant for those working in personalised care roles, whose patient interactions often allow more time to explore motivations, challenges and goals. However, the programme is open to all healthcare professionals interested in using physical activity as a powerful tool to improve health outcomes. 

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of behaviour change theories, the principles of motivational interviewing, alongside practical techniques such as reflective listening, scaling questions, and goal setting. Interactive role-play exercises and physical activity-focused case studies provide opportunities to practise these skills in realistic patient scenarios, helping participants build confidence in supporting meaningful behaviour change. 

Feedback from the pilot programme, delivered to GP practice staff across East Herts and Broxbourne, has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants praised the engaging delivery, practical content and immediate relevance to everyday patient conversations. 

One attendee described the session as "brilliant training, great delivery and really great for conversations in the real world", while another said it was "very useful and informative", highlighting the trainer's expertise and interactive approach. 

The training also supports practices working towards Active Practice status, helping teams confidently promote physical activity as part of routine care. In doing so, reinforcing the growing recognition of movement as medicine, and its vital role in preventing and managing long-term health conditions. 

Sessions can be arranged at a time and date that suits your organisation. Any health professional interested in taking part in the training can register their interest by completing the online form.  

To find out more about this training offer and the wider Active Connections programme, contact hsphealth@herts.ac.uk.