A postgraduation follow-up of social work students trained in “SBIRT”: Rates of usage and perceptions of effectiveness

ABSTRACT

Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based modality that can help social workers work with substance-using clients as part of an integrated health care approach. This study reports the findings of a post-graduation one-year follow-up survey of 193 master’s and bachelor’s social work students trained in SBIRT in practice courses at a Northeast urban college. Forty-three percent of the trainees who were practicing social work after graduation were using SBIRT. A content analysis of participants’ comments found that the vast majority found SBIRT to be a valuable practice modality, with barriers to utilization of SBIRT identified.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol
• drugs
• evidence-based practice
• integrated health care
• SBIRT
• social work students

Funding

This project was funded through a 3-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded through a 3-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.