Discussion
Central to MI is helping patients resolve their ambivalence
by, for instance focusing on a patient’s own perception and
motivation [13-15]. Of course wanting and not wanting to
change lifestyle is conflicting. But the conflict may also be
that the patients want to change, but lack the tools and motivation
to do so. The results of the study show that patients
often are well aware of the right lifestyle choices, but
feelings of shame are associated with lifestyle problems.
Talking to another person about their problems was a significant
step for many of the patients, and they pointed out
that if they had felt offended or that they themselves were
to blame for the problem, they would have stopped attending
the consultations. Previous studies have also shown
that patients often have sufficient knowledge about the risks
connected to their lifestyles, especially smoking and being
overweight, and that they understand the consequences to
their health