OARS is a foundational framework in Motivational Interviewing (MI), guiding healthcare professionals to engage with clients effectively. It stands for Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summarizing.
Pharmacist: “I noticed you’ve missed a few doses of your medication. What’s been going on?”
Open-ended question
Patient: “I just forget sometimes.”
Pharmacist: “That’s a common challenge. What could help you remember—maybe setting an alarm or linking it to a daily habit?”
Reflective listening