Forum Highlights Ways to Better Help Clients

By University Communications

The McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) at Missouri State University will host a Multidisciplinary Forum on Nov. 8. It will provide healthcare professionals and students strategies to inspire their clients to adhere to treatment plans that will improve patient health.

The forum’s theme, “Helping Clients … Stick to it: Learn how to inspire adherences in your clients,” will focus on the importance of changing clients’ behaviors and the best practices to do so.

Participants will learn how to facilitate treatment program adherence in sample patients. The event will include multiple small group learning activities and guided discussions.

“We want to help our students understand they are not going to be able to ‘fix’ their patients,” said Dr. James Hackney, associate professor of physical therapy. “We want to provide practicing clinicians with strategies to assist their clientele in changing their behavior in a way that will enhance their health.”

The keynote speaker is Dr. Ann Rost, assistant department head of psychology. Her research focuses on helping patients cope with their diagnoses.

Natalie Allen, registered dietitian and clinical instructor of biomedical sciences, will moderate the event. 

The forum is from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom. It is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Hackney at 417-836-6239.