BACKGROUND: Smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have high nicotine dependence making it difficult to quit smoking. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a method that is used in stimulating motivation and behavioral changes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe smoking cessation communication between patients and registered nurses trained in MI in COPD nurse-led clinics in Swedish primary health care.

METHODS: A prospective observational study with structured quantitative content analyses of the communication between six nurses with basic education in MI and 13 patients in non-smoking consultations.

RESULTS: Only to a small extent did nurses' evoke patients' reasons for change, stimulate collaboration, and support patients' autonomy. Nurses provided information, asked closed questions, and made simple reflections. Patients' communication was mainly neutral and focusing on reasons for and against smoking. It was uncommon for patients to be committed and take steps toward smoking cessation.

CONCLUSION: The nurses did not adhere to the principles of MI in smoking cessation, and the patients focused to a limited extent on how to quit smoking.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: To make patients more active, the nurses need more education and continuous training in motivational communication.