Table 2.

Perceived importance for beginning MI trainers of general principles/approaches to MI training

Principle/Approach	Description (if applicable)	Importance Rating Mean (SD)
1. Trainer demonstrations		1.36 (0.60)
2. Role-plays		1.36 (0.70)
3. Eliciting	Asking for trainee input throughout training	1.37 (0.69)
4. Debriefing each activity		1.49 (1.01)
5. Setting up a successful role play	Give clear instructions before starting	1.57 (0.95)
6. Giving feedback to trainees	Suggestions or observations during exercises	1.63 (0.88)
7. Vital Signs	Ask group about training desires, etc.	1.71 (0.75)
8. Structuring	Giving trainees an overview of training	1.74 (0.79)
9. Video demonstrations		1.74 (1.02)
10. Generalizing gains	Giving guidance on how to increase expertise in MI	1.86 (0.91)
11. Preparing a client role	Provide prepared client biography for role play	2.03 (0.77)
12. Personalizing	Asking trainees to use personal info. during training	2.14 (1.24)
13. Using metaphor or nonverbal imagery	E.g., “change bouquet”	2.21 (0.89)
14. Structured counselor feedback	Observe and code trainee performance	2.55 (1.00)
15. Pre-training structured assessment		2.85 (1.02)

Note. n = 35. Means are based on the following scale: 1 = very important; 2 = somewhat important; 3 = neither important nor unimportant; 4 = somewhat unimportant; 5 = very unimportant.