Readiness Ruler
The Readiness Ruler can assist in:
- Assessing a patient's "willingness or readiness to change."
- Determining where a patient is on the continuum between "not
prepared to change" and "already changing."
- Promoting the identification and discussion of perceived barriers to
change.
The ruler represents a continuum from "not prepared to change" on the
left, to "already changing" on the right. How it works:
- Patients are asked to mark on the line their current position in the
change process.
- Providers should then question patients about why they did not place
the mark further to the left (which helps to determine what
motivates their behavior), and what it would take to move the line
further to the right (which helps to determine their perceived
barriers).
- Providers can ask patients for suggestions about ways to overcome
barriers and steps they can take before the next visit.
Download the Readiness Ruler Worksheet
