“I Know What I Should Do, But…”: Understanding and Supporting Health Behaviour Change

Why do patients continue behaviours that affect their health, even when they know what they “should” be doing? From medication adherence and lifestyle changes to rehabilitation, sleep and chronic disease management, knowledge alone does not always translate into action.

This session explores the psychological and behavioural factors that can make change difficult, and why simply providing more information or advice may not be enough. Through common clinical scenarios, participants will consider what may be happening beneath the surface when patients appear “unmotivated”, resistant or stuck.

Drawing on perspectives from both psychiatry and clinical psychology, we will explore how clinicians can use practical ways to engage patients, work with their motivation, and support sustainable behavior change.

Our Speaker
 

Dr. Tan practices primarily in Mind Care Clinic’s main Farrer Park Medical Centre branch, focusing on general psychiatry, consultation-liaison/medical psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry. His clinical practice encompasses mood and anxiety disorders, insomnia, psychological distress related to life changes and complex medical comorbidities, as well as a special interest in dementia and the mental health needs of older adults.

Mr. Ooi Say Leong has more than a decade of clinical experience across primary care, public healthcare and private hospital settings. His clinical interests include insomnia and sleep difficulties, psychological adjustment to acute and chronic health conditions, and behavioural and lifestyle change. He has extensive experience supporting individuals navigating significant health challenges and life-changing medical events and also provides professional training and clinical supervision to psychologists and other healthcare professionals.