Implementation and evaluation of SBIRT training in a Community Health nursing course

The purpose of this paper is to report on the implementation and evaluation of a Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) educational program into an undergraduate nursing curriculum and to recommend modifications for future trainings.

A one-group pre-test/post-test design was used. The sample consisted of senior level undergraduate nursing students.

Core knowledge, perceived competency, and program satisfaction were measured. Process evaluation activities were performed to gather feedback on the training and solicit ideas and recommendations for improvement.

Of the 354 nursing students enrolled in the training, 249 (70%) participated in the research portion, with 240 (96%) completed the pre- and post-training evaluations. All four core knowledge components and 13 perceived competency indicators were statistically significant (p ≤ .001) when comparing pre- and post-t test values. Process evaluation data collected through 25 telephone interviews found that the training improved the students' confidence and ability to screen for substance misuse with patients.

Findings support the implementation of SBIRT training into an undergraduate nursing curriculum. Modifications for future training and research are proposed.