The SBIRT Interprofessional Curriculum and Field Model

Abstract

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based practice to identify, reduce and prevent alcohol and drug use and abuse. SBIRT is a natural fit for interprofessional education (IPE). This article discusses an IPE SBIRT training model implemented with social work, medicine, pharmacy and nursing students that provided (a) education and training on SBIRT, (b) IPE experiences, and (c) clinical SBIRT application of learnings. Pre- and postpaired sample t tests indicated students’ content knowledge on SBIRT and attitudes toward people with alcohol problems all significantly improved (p < .001). Further, 95% of students would recommend this training.

KEYWORDS:

• alcohol and other drug use
• clinical skills training
• evidence-based practice
• interprofessional education
• SBIRT
• social work practice

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Jane Prumer, PharmD, for assistance in administering the SBIRT course. The authors alone are responsible for content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

Funding was provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) (Award No. 5H79TI025942).