Training programme

The Making Every Contact Count Training Programme is a standardised training. It is designed to educate healthcare professionals in the brief intervention skills required to support patients/service users in lifestyle behaviour change.

Training includes an online course and a workshop, and it's available to all healthcare professionals in Ireland. As a healthcare professional, it shows you how to support patients to make healthier lifestyle choices during their usual appointments.

MECC online course

This online course includes 8 modules and will take approximately 4 hours to complete.

Module 1 - Introduction to behaviour change

This module will give you a basic understanding of behaviour change theory. It includes techniques such as the underlying principles of a patient-centred approach.

Modules 2 to 7

These modules cover 7 different topics.

These include:

  • tobacco
  • alcohol and drugs
  • healthy eating
  • physical activity
  • overweight and obesity
  • mental health and wellbeing

Module 8 - Skills into practice module

This module will show you how to carry out a brief intervention across the different topics listed in modules 2 to 6. Module 8 includes different video scenarios using real healthcare professionals.

Additional information can be accessed in the ‘extend my learning’ section on HSeLanD.

HSeLanD training

MECC ‘Enhancing your brief intervention skills’ workshop

After you finish the MECC eLearning course there will be an opportunity to complete the ‘Enhancing your brief intervention skills’ workshop.

The MECC Enhancing Your Skills Workshop is a practical follow on to the MECC eLearning course. It focuses on practising the key skills required to conduct a brief intervention. Participants must have received their certificate of completion for the MECC eLearning course.

MECC Enhancing Your Skills Workshops

MECC workshops are available in different locations throughout Ireland. For more information, you can contact your local MECC lead.

Upcoming workshops

Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo

Cavan

Date: Wednesday 23 October 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: The Conaty Centre, Cullies, Cavan, H12 E5C7

Donegal

Date: Wednesday 6 November 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: Ionad Naomh Pádraig Dobhar, An Bun Beag, Contae Dhún na nGall. F92 EH6N

Date: Thursday 28 November 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: The Vestry, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal F92 TD92

Leitrim

Date: Thursday 28 November 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: Carrick-on-Shannon Education Centre, Marymount, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim N41 Y172

Monaghan

Date: Friday 15 November 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: Education Room, North Monaghan Primary Care Centre, St. Davnets Complex, Co. Monaghan, H18 DE78

Sligo

Date: Thursday 7 November 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: Conference Room, Northside Community Centre, Forthill, Sligo, F91N778

Mayo, Galway, Roscommon

Workshops to be confirmed.

Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary

Workshops to be confirmed.

Cork and Kerry

Cork

Date: Thursday 10 October 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: LivingHealth Clinic, Fermoy Road, The Demesne, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork

Kerry

Date: Tuesday 12 November 2024
Time: 10am to 1.30pm
Location: KDYS Youth Centre, Fair Hill, Moyeightragh, Killarney, Co. Kerry 

Date: Tuesday 26 November 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: University Hospital Kerry, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, South Tipperary

Waterford

Workshops to be confirmed.

Tipperary

Date: Wednesday 30 October 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: Primary Care Centre Conference, St Luke’s Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Kilkenny

Date: Wednesday 6 November 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, Bohernatounish Road, Loughboy, Kilkenny City, R95 RF97

Wexford

Date: Wednesday 27 November 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre, Quarry Road, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Y21 T8W7

Dublin South East, Dublin South, Wicklow

Dublin

Workshops to be confirmed.

Wicklow

Date: Thursday 28 November 2024
Time: 1.30pm to 5pm
Location: Wicklow Primary Care Centre, Knockrobin, Co. Wicklow, A67 K5C7

Dublin West, Dublin South-West, Kildare and West Wicklow

Workshops to be confirmed.

Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Meath

Westmeath

Date: Tuesday 5 November 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: Clonbrusk Primary Care Centre, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 P8P8

Meath

Date: Thursday 21 November 2024
Time: 9.30am to 1pm
Location: Conference Room 219, Kells Primary Care Centre, Navan Road, Kells, Co. Meath, A82 H3C7

Dublin North, Dublin North City, Dublin North County

Workshops to be confirmed.

Maternity training information

There is a specific workshop designed for MECC in maternity settings and designed for midwives, nurses, obstetric colleagues and all other healthcare professionals who have contact with women on their pregnancy journey.

Continuing professional development (CPD)

You will receive a certificate after completing the MECC eLearning course and the ‘Enhancing your brief intervention skills’ workshop. This can be used as evidence to pursue CPD points.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland gives post-registration category 1 approval.

These include:

  • MECC eLearning course - 4 CEUs
  • MECC Enhancing Your Skills Workshop - 3 CEUs
  • MECC Enhancing Your Skills Virtual Workshop - 2 CEUs
  • MECC Enhancing Your Skills Maternity Workshop - CEUs

CORU

CPD credits are awarded on the basis that one hour of learning is equal to one CPD credit. You can allocate any fraction of an hour to a learning activity.

For example:

  • MECC eLearning course - 4 CEUs
  • MECC Enhancing Your Skills Workshop - 3 CEUs
  • MECC Enhancing Your Skills Virtual Workshop - 2 CEUs
  • MECC Enhancing Your Skills Maternity Workshop - 4 CEUs

The training program can also count as suitable CPD activity for many health and social care workers registered with CORU, as part of their ongoing professional development.

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)

The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) awards the following:

  • MECC eLearning course - 4 CEUs
  • MECC Enhancing Your Skills Workshop - 3.5 CEUs
  • MECC Enhancing Your Skills Maternity Workshop - 3.5 CEUs

Irish Dental Council

After completing the MECC course you will be awarded 10 verifiable CPD points.