MI Strategies: OARS
OARS represents communication strategies that can help a practitioner elicit change talk from the
client/patient. It is an essential part of MI that should be utilized during the Brief Intervention (BI)
portion of SBIRT to enhance motivation. OARS stands for the following:
1. Open-Ended Questions
2. Personal Affirmations
3. Listen & Engage in Reflections
4. Provide Summaries
OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
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Open the door and encourage the client to talk: “Can you tell me what you like about using?”
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Do not invite a short answer: “What makes you think it might be time for a change?”
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Leave broad latitude for how to respond: “Can you tell me more about how this began?”
PERSONAL AFFIRMATIONS
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Commenting positively on an attribute: “You’re a strong person, a real survivor.”
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A statement of appreciation: “I appreciate your openness and honesty today.”
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Catch the person doing something right: “Thank you for coming in today!”
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A compliment: “I like the way you said that.”
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An expression of hope, caring, or support: “I hope this weekend goes well for you!”
LISTEN & ENGAGE IN REFLECTIONS
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Are statements rather than questions:
o
Question: “Do you mean that you’re wondering if it’s possible for you to cut down?” •
Make a guess about the client’s meaning (rather than asking)
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Yield more information and better understanding
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Often a question can be turned into a reflection
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Helps the client/patient continue exploring
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In general, a reflection should not be longer than the patient/client’s statement
PROVIDE SUMMARIES
1. Collect material that has been offered: “So far, you’ve expressed concern about your children,
saving money, and providing a stable living environment for your family.”
2. Link to something just said with something discussed earlier: “That sounds a bit like what you told
3. Draw together what happened and transition to a new task: “Before I provide you with some
referral recommendations, let me summarize what you’ve told me so far, and see if I’ve missed
anything important….Is there anything else that you would like to add before we move on?”