Objective To evaluate the effect of health education through motivational interviewing on the self-efficacy of diabetes patients. Methods From January to June in 2013, 120 patients with type 2 diabetes who were extracted conveniently from our hospital were randomly divided into the experimental group ( n=60 ) and control group (n=60). Diabetes specialist nurses who had been trained in motivational interview were the interviewers. After the baseline evaluations for patients, motivational interview, the traditional health education and the telephone follow-up were used for the patients in the experimental group, but only traditional education and telephone follow-up for those in the control group. The self-efficacy and the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale was evaluated before intervention, after 3 months and 6 months intervention respectively. Results Before the intervention, the score of self-efficacy was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0. 05). After 3 and 6 months intervention, the total scores of self-efficacy in the experimental group were (20.13 ±3.78) and (24.93 ±4.38), which were significantly higher than those before the intervention (t=4. 397, 11. 716, respectively;P <0. 05). Compared with the scores before the intervention, the scores of the self-efficacy were significantly different after 3 and 6 months intervention (F = 81. 850,P < 0. 05). Conclusions Health education through motivational interviewing can improve the self-efficacy of patients with type 2 diabetes.