Spiritually Responsive SBIRT in Social Work Education

Abstract

This article reports the results of a multisite, interprofessional training initiative for social work students focused on using Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) culturally adapted to include elements of faith and spirituality using an interactive Web-based learning management system. A total of 251 undergraduate and graduate social work students completed the 4-hr training with pre- and post-assessments, with 191 completing 30-day follow-up assessments. Significant increases in SBIRT perceived knowledge and confidence in implementing SBIRT were observed among both graduate and undergraduate students. Implications for culturally adapted SBIRT training in social work education are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• faith
• SBIRT
• social work education
• spirituality
• Web-based training

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Faith & Spirituality Integrated SBIRT training was funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) (TI-026021). The authors would also like to thank their SAMHSA Project Officer, JBS International, J. Paul Seale, M.D., Professor and Director of Research at the Department of Family Medicine at Mercer University School of Medicine, and other SBIRT Training grantees for their technical assistance support.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (TI-026021).