Readiness Ruler

The Readiness Ruler can assist in:

• Assessing a patient's "willingness or readiness to change"
• Determining where a patient is on the continuum between "not prepared to change" and "already changing"
• Promoting the identification and discussion of perceived barriers to change

                                                         Download the Readiness Ruler

How it works

The ruler represents a continuum from "not prepared to change" on the left, to "already changing" on the right. 

1. Patients are asked to mark on the line their current position in the change process. 
2. Providers should then ask patients about why they did not place the mark further to the left to determine what motivates their behavior. Then ask what it would take to move the line further to the right to help to determine their perceived barriers. 
3. Providers can ask patients for suggestions of ways to overcome barriers and what steps they can take before the next visit.