A Case Study of SBIRT on A College Campus: Challenges, Adaptations, and Improved Outcomes

Abstract

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based intervention that has been shown to reduce alcohol use. Extant literature has demonstrated that SBIRT can be effectively integrated and implemented in primary care settings. Relatively little research has focused on the implementation of SBIRT in college student health centers. The aim of this study was to identify challenges and facilitators of implementing SBIRT in a college student health center. An exploratory, case study design was used with data collected in 2016 – 2017 from a parent evaluation study. The study included focus group and interview data collected from 25 SBIRT staff and stakeholders, patient data from 2,944 students, and project documents. Findings revealed challenges related to implementing SBIRT within an college health care setting and combating the community norms around drinking common on college campuses. Adaptations included important workflow adjustments. Improved outcomes included more staff support for the model and increased numbers of students fully screened and receiving services. Recommendations and implications related to the study setting are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• alcohol misuse
• brief treatment
• college student health
• referral
• screening

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The views expressed are not those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the funding agency.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported in part by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.