Change Talk: Childhood Obesity (Version iOS 2.3)

Synopsis of the App

Change Talk is a motivational interviewing simulator designed for healthcare professionals in pediatric settings. 

Platform and Price
Free. Apple, Android and Web.

RDN Score
5 out of 5

Pros

• Well-executed graphics and animation.
• Teaches motivational interviewing in a digital environment with opportunities to practice what’s learned in a virtual setting with virtual parents and children.
• Build skills for motivating change in behaviors related to childhood obesity including reducing the intake of sugar, difficulty feeding young ones and breastfeeding behaviors.
• Modules are approachable and well produced.
• The app includes a motivational interviewing overview and modules covering patient-centered counseling, reflective listening, and sustain talk.
• Includes culturally diverse and appropriate avatars to relate to a variety of professionals including dietitians.
• Engaging and interactive with realistic examples and conversations that a typical healthcare professional may encounter.
• Helps you learn how to ask patients for their input.
• Includes thoughts from the child, parent and practitioner – making the simulator a more dynamic and engaging experience to learn and practice motivational interviewing.
• Offers a virtual coach for guidance – adding feedback to enhance and inform the situation.
• Use the performance dashboard to track progress.
• Provides links to credible motivational interviewing resources including books and journal articles and more and the credentials for those who created the app.
• Leave and pick up where you left off. Repeat the simulator as often as you’d like.

Cons

• Content must be completed in sequence. So, it will take a little time to get through the app.
• The simulator can be slow to load. Pack your patience before starting.
• Responses and options are sometimes leading, which may limit the users ability to think critically. 

Bottom Line

With real-life conversations in a dynamic simulation setting, Change Talk is ideal for practitioners who are new to motivational interviewing or simply need a refresher. 

Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD

Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD, is a nutrition consultant based in Atlanta and adjunct faculty at Georgia State University. Follow her at MarisaMoore.com, on Twitter or Instagram.