New Training Program on Substance Use and Recovery

University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed an educational program geared toward strengthening healthcare professionals’ (HCP) knowledge and ability to identify individuals at risk for problematic substance use and make appropriate referrals for further treatment. This program was created to enable HCPs to use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), a comprehensive public health approach tailored to HCPs working in primary care settings. 

Description

From 2019 to 2021, median monthly overdose deaths of adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years increased by 109%. With SBIRT as the foundation of this innovative educational program, HCPs can contribute to preventive care by adopting strategies and techniques designed to recognize patients most at risk, deliver brief interventions, and refer to treatment services where appropriate. Using the SBIRT approach, if the initial patient screening raises concerns, the HCP will be able to commence with 5–15 minutes of brief intervention (explanation of the risks for SUD, motivational interviewing, listening, providing options for goal-setting), and referral to specialty care if needed and if the patient agrees. This training and subsequent delivery of SBIRT by HCPs can reduce healthcare costs and the severity of substance use in patients.

Applications

• Healthcare professional training

Advantages

There is a common belief that patients do not want to discuss alcohol use with their HCPs. Evidence suggests instead that many patients view these discussions as part of their care. Results from a 2019 survey on drug use in the US revealed that only around 1 in 10 people with substance use disorder (SUD) received any substance use treatment. This research emphasizes the need for tools such as SBIRT to support open communication between HCPs and their patients about substance use.

Using SBIRT as part of a comprehensive health professional training program for substance use and recovery offers a key advantage of improving HCP knowledge so they can feel comfortable talking to patients. In addition, SBIRT training that applies specifically to front-line HCPs in primary care settings can be extremely beneficial to patient outreach. Evidence from a multi-site study has shown ~70% decrease in drug use and ~40% decrease in alcohol use in the six months following the behavior intervention and/or the referral for treatment. SBIRT training also decreases the severity of drug and alcohol use, healthcare costs, and the percentage of patients that go without substance use treatment.

Invention Readiness

SBIRT has been found to be a valuable universal screening tool for HCPs, helping them become better screeners for substance misuse. With SBIRT as the foundation, this innovative program includes incorporation of several other well-established interventional techniques into HCP training. One of these is the use of the POLAR*S technique to help navigate brief interventions (Permission, Open-ended questions, Listening reflectively, Roll with ambivalence, Summary). Other key concepts are motivational interviewing, risk assessment, and coordination of care.

IP Status

Copyright