Making every contact count

If you are interested in a role in health or care, it would be beneficial for you to familiarise yourself with the principle of “Making Every Contact Count” and think about examples of how you may have demonstrated MECC through work, volunteering or in your personal life.

What is Make Every Contact Count (MECC)?

MECC is an approach to behaviour change that uses the day-to-day interactions that health and social care staff have with people to support them in making positive changes to their physical and mental health and wellbeing. MECC interventions don’t need to be undertaken by healthcare professionals, everyone can have a role to play.

The 4 As:

Ask (use the opportunity to strike up a conversation or respond to a situation, e.g. a smoker’s cough or difficulty using stairs, during day-to-day contact with someone).

Assess (decide if you feel the time is right to continue the conversation, if not leave the door open for another time).

Advise (give messages about the benefits of healthy lifestyle change and tips to achieve them).

Assist (share information or signpost people to where they can find local support).

To learn more about Making Every Contact Count, including why it is important, how to have a MECC conversation, and how to signpost people to relevant resources, there is a free e-learning programme on e-Learning for Healthcare.