Motivational interviewing for contact tracing: developing co-produced training to improve practice

Contact tracing is currently a national priority, due to its centrality to infection control; low rates of self-isolation compliance (Smith et al., 2020); and regional and centralised initiatives (Iacobucci, 2020; Williams, 2020). Recently, the government proposed fining individuals for not adhering to requests to self-isolate (Hope, 2020). However, this appears to contravene the widely-accepted position, that intrinsic motivation promotes behavioural change (Marmot, 2015; Rollnick, Butler, Kinnersley, Gregory, & Mash, 2010). Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative conversational style for promoting motivation and commitment to behavioural changer (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). Its potential role in improving social distancing and other COVID-19 related safety precautions has already been highlighted (Ross, Zerden, Ruth, Zelnick, & Cederbaum, 2020); as have its benefits for contact tracing within sexual health (Op de Coul, Spijker, van Aar, van Weert, & de Bruin, 2013). MI is effective for working with clients who feel ambivalent about change, making it potentially ideal as a way of talking to individuals testing positive with the COVID-19 virus, who may have conflicting feelings about self-isolation. This exploratory study seeks to consider the feasibility of developing and delivering brief, accessible MI training for contact tracers. The project would involve the co-production, delivery and evaluation of the training. It is anticipated that, in line with previous research (Op de Coul et al. , 2013), the training would improve the skills and self-efficacy of contact tracers, with this also impacting wellbeing. Future research could then seek to assess its potential impact on public engagement with self-isolation, following contact tracing.