Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) expansion of training to non-physician healthcare graduate students: Counseling psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies

Abstract

Background

Although Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) has now been disseminated in many areas of the United States (US), much remains to be discovered about the training outcomes of non-physician professional trainees such as nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists following SBIRT training. Methods: Training in SBIRT, an evidence-based approach to screening substance use, was embedded into five health science graduate curricula: Physician Assistant Studies, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Psychology. The SBIRT curriculum was adapted for each profession to include a brief introductory module addressing SBIRT’s relevance for each profession, as well as profession-specific case examples and terminology. Using a nonequivalent group design, participants completed pre-and post-training assessments of substance use related attitudes, perceived competency and knowledge. Data were analyzed using a parametric test to compare pre- and post-differences. Results: Findings suggest improved attitudes as well as increased perceived competencies and core knowledge following the graduate-curriculum embedded SBIRT training, as well as between group differences on the same variables. Conclusions: SBIRT training of non-physician healthcare graduate student-trainees is a feasible training activity and results in improved trainee attitudes, perceived competency, and knowledge. SBIRT training embedded into graduate health science curricula offers an early foundation to this well-established, universal screening approach.

Keywords:

• SBIRT training
• non-physician health service providers
• substance use attitudes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank participating trainees and faculty facilitators as well as our grant partner the University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy, Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU). We specifically acknowledge the curriculum and training development and support offered by Bill Johnjulio, MD; Jan Pringle, PhD; and Robert Sukolosky, MA and Alex Falk, BS, SBIRT Research Specialist for her completion of requested analysis during submission.

Additional information

Funding

Grant Funding was awarded to Chatham University from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT): Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, Health Care Professionals Training Programs; PI 2015–2016 Carl Garrubba, PA-C, PI 2017–2018, Patricia Downey, PT, PhD, DPT, leadership and support. The funder had no function in the study or in the development of this manuscript.