TABLE 2.
Use of Appreciative Inquiry as a Health Behavior Change Intervention Between a Clinician or Health Educator and a Client
| Phase | Appreciative Inquiry Question |
| Discover—examining aspects of health people most value and want to promote | Describe a time when you had an exceptionally healthy lifestyle. |
| What did you appreciate about the experience? | |
| What was it about you that made this happen? | |
| What was it about others that made this happen? | |
| What other situational factors supported this positive experience? | |
| Tell me a story of when you felt particularly healthy and alive. Why was it so powerful? | |
| What are the good things about you that helped make this a special time? | |
| Did you learn anything new about yourself? | |
| Who else was involved and how did they help? | |
| Dream—challenging the status quo by envisioning a more valued and possible future | Imagine a world where everyone could be in charge of his or own health and care. What are the most important things you would need to take care of your own health and care? |
| Your health and the health of your family are affected by what happens in your community. Imagine that you live in a truly healthy community. What would be different from the way things are now? What role do you see for yourself? | |
| What steps could your community take to ensure a healthy future? | |
| Imagine that you are so physically active that you feel very fit and healthy. What would you feel like on a daily basis? | |
| What would you be doing? What would you see yourself doing for exercise that would make you feel good while doing it? What could you do that would be different from the way things are now? What steps would those around you need to do to help you? | |
| Design—a collaborative construction of bold statements of ideal possibilities | What could you do now to be more in charge of your own health and care? |
| Who would you go to for help? Is there anything the people you go to now for help could do differently so you could take more charge of your own health and care? | |
| Deliver—consensus is reached regarding principles and priorities; strategies are designed to accomplish short- and long-term goals | What are some short-term goals for you to try related to improving your health? |
| What are your long-term goals? | |
| Who can help you achieve these goals and how can they help you? |