This course explores the client-centred philosophy behind MECC and its interventions. It covers healthy conversations, motivational interviewing, and practical tools used to achieve real behaviour change.

About the course

  • Course Design: Self-directed

  • Duration: It will take about 3 hours to complete.

  • Eligibility for this course: Medical Officers, Primary Care Nurse Specialists, Registered Nurses (General & Speciality), WCGHW Trainers, WCCN Lecturers & Clinical Facilitators, Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Health Professionals

  • Accreditation: This course is accredited for:
    • HPCSA: 3 Clinical CPD points (Level 1)
    • WCDHW Nursing CPD accreditation: 3 points (1 in Area of Practice; 2 in Actioning)

  • Certification: Participants need 70% pass mark for final quiz.

  • Published: Jun 2026

If you meet the eligibility criteria, apply to start:

Your supervisor details are required

Apply to enroll

Course outline

This course covers the following content:

Teaching Moment and MECC: Making Every Patient and Staff Encounter Count
  • Why training matters
  • Client-centered care
  • Behaviour change
  • The MECC framework & MECC tools
  • Effective counselling techniques and skills
  • Healthy topics to explore
  • Embedding MECC in practice
  • Longer interventions: Before the training
  • Longer interventions: During training
  • Next steps and resources


Western Cape Government Department of Health and Wellness
People Development Centre

Acknowledgements:

  • University of Cape Town’s Knowledge & Instructional Development (KIDS) Training Hub
  • Knowledge Translation Unit