Comparing Changes in SBIRT Knowledge, Confidence, and Readiness Among Students and Community Providers

ABSTRACT

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funds student training grants to promote implementation of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). This article describes the development of, and lessons learned from, a hybrid online and face-to-face training program within a university’s social work, nursing, and psychology programs. Important institutional factors supporting successful implementation are discussed, including responses to SBIRT across disciplines and the need to connect classroom and field learning. Preliminary results for pre–post training evaluation measures indicated a positive impact on student knowledge, confidence, and readiness across disciplines. Variations across disciplines are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• brief intervention
• nursing
• psychology
• referral to treatment
• screening
• social work