Development and implementation of a medication adherence training instrument for persons living with HIV: the MATI.

McPherson-Baker et al. (2005) built a three-step script for HIV clinics.

The script is called MATI: Medication Adherence Training Instrument.

Step 1 gives facts about the pills. Step 2 boosts motivation. Step 3 checks if the patient actually takes them.

The paper only describes the script; no patients were tested.

No patient data are reported.

The authors simply lay out the script so any counselor can copy it.

McGonigle et al. (2014) copied the same three-step logic but put it on a pocket PDA. Their small pilot showed 92 % of adults with bipolar disorder finished the prompts and said they liked them. The steps still work when a machine gives them.

Perry et al. (2024) took the “standardized three-step” idea and used it to train parents of kids with ASD/ID. Parents learned to run FAs and behavior plans at home. Most families (76 %) hit their goals. The script idea spreads beyond pills.

DeLeon et al. (2005) built another manualized package (ACT-ID) for adults with dual diagnoses. They ran an RCT and found no benefit over usual care. MATI has not been tested yet, so we do not know if it would beat usual care either.

You now have a free, ready-made script for any adult who struggles with daily meds. Use the three steps in order: teach, motivate, check. If time is short, you can swap the in-person talk for phone or app prompts like McGonigle et al. (2014) did. The same structure also works when you coach parents or staff—just swap “take pills” with “run the behavior plan.” Try it next session and see if clients move from “I know” to “I did.”