ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of motivational interviewing on health literacy and quality of life of patients on maintenance hemodialysis. MethodsUsing convenience sampling method, 100 patients on maintenance hemodialysis were selected from March 2016 to March 2018 in a blood purification center of a Class Ⅲ Grade A hospital. According to dialysis time, the patients were divided into the intervention group (n=50) and control group (n=50). Motivational interviews were conducted in the intervention group. Traditional health education methods were used in the control group. The two groups' scores in health literacy and quality of life from Health Literacy of Patients with Chronic Diseases Questionnaire and Kidney Disease Questionnaire(KDQ) before and after intervention were compared. ResultsAfter 6 months of intervention, the total score of health literacy in the intervention group increased from (87.34±2.85) to (97.34±3.02). The scores of three dimensions of "information acquisition ability", "communication and interaction ability" and"willingness to improve health" were higher than those before intervention, and the total score of health literacy and above three dimensions in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group with statistical differences (P＜0.05). The total score of quality of life in the intervention group increased from (100.64±17.62) to (115.60±16.15), among which the scores of "somatic symptoms", "fatigue" and "relationship with others"in the intervention group were higher than those before intervention, and the total score of quality of life and the above three dimensions in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group, the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05). ConclusionsMotivational interviews can improve the health literacy level of maintenance hemodialysis patients, enhance their awareness of improving health, change their bad behaviors, and improve their quality of life.