The key to MECC is good communication skills to ensure that a patient is motivated  and engaged with the healthy lifestyle changes they need to make.

We communicate with people every day but how effective is this communication? We have all been into a shop, bar or restaurant and received poor service that is often as a result of ineffective communication. Communication skills take time to learn and require regular practice but are essential to effective health promotion.

Effective face to face communication is not just about what we say; it’s how we say it, our facial expressions, body language and demonstrating active listening. The Albert Mehrabian model details how a message is communicated:

• 7 per cent of meaning comes from the words that are spoken.
• 38 per cent of meaning is the way that words are said e.g. tone of voice or language used.
• 55 per cent of meaning is in facial expression and body language.