Which technique is helpful in determining a patient's true feelings toward their treatment?

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered counseling technique that is particularly effective in exploring and resolving ambivalence towards treatment. It fosters a supportive environment that encourages patients to express their feelings about their treatment openly. This technique emphasizes collaboration between the healthcare provider and the patient, allowing the patient to articulate their thoughts, concerns, and motivations regarding their health and treatment choices.

By using reflective listening and open-ended questions, motivational interviewing helps in uncovering underlying beliefs and emotional responses, which can lead to a better understanding of the patient’s perspective. This dialogue is essential for building rapport and trust, ultimately allowing for more tailored and effective treatment plans that align with the patient’s values and preferences.

In contrast, behavioral observation focuses on monitoring actions rather than feelings, standardized questioning often lacks the flexibility needed to delve deeper into individual emotions, and direct confrontation may put patients on the defensive, inhibiting honest communication. Therefore, motivational interviewing stands out as the most effective approach for gaining insight into a patient's true feelings about their treatment.