How do you motivate your patients or clients to achieve goals?
"I typically start by helping patients set small, achievable goals and try to find ways to incorporate those goals into their regular daily routines. It's easier to add and build from there once you've established a good foundation. I know that making lifestyle changes can be challenging and stressful, so I try to make it fun where possible, whether it's suggesting they listen to their favourite podcast while cooking or including their children in their activities. I also suggest an accountability buddy, whether it's regular check-ins from a friend or frequent motivational texts from a family member throughout the week."
"I encourage my patients to find ways to make it easier to track their progress. I often recommend platforms or apps like Nutrium to make recording their intake and progress easier. Using the app allows them to check their progress in real-time, and I love celebrating the wins and motivating and pushing them to continue hitting their goals. I am always happy to send a check-in text or a celebratory GIF through the app to celebrate their success that week. I also tell my patients it's okay to have a setback; when you do, you have to learn from it and move on, so I'm always encouraging them to keep pushing and not give up. If they have consistent setbacks, we dig down to identify the root cause and come up with solutions to navigate those barriers and get back on track."
As a dietitian at the NHS, you will need to be able to create nutritional plans for patients but also to coach and motivate them as they start a program and progress through their journey. Discuss ways that you encourage, motivate, coach, and push your patients to achieve goals. Your patients will likely run into roadblocks or challenges and need your expertise to guide and navigate them through those obstacles while keeping a positive attitude.
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