Testing a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) interdisciplinary training program model...

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Higher Education Pedagogy
• Substance Use Disorder Education

Background:

• Substance use disorders (SUDs) affect millions, with significant public health and economic consequences.
• Current preservice education for SUD screening and treatment in health professions is insufficient.
• A need exists for interdisciplinary training in the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model within academic settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate and implement an interdisciplinary, implementation science-informed training model for the SBIRT approach in higher education.
• To integrate SUD education into nursing, social work, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and integrated behavioral health curricula.

Main Methods:

• Developed and implemented a training model based on implementation science principles.
• The model was applied across five distinct health and behavioral health disciplines.
• Faculty and curriculum data were collected through surveys, interviews, and record reviews.

Main Results:

• The SBIRT model was successfully infused into course content by 89.47% of trained faculty.
• The integration of the SBIRT model was sustained in 90.47% of course syllabi by project completion.
• The training model demonstrated significant uptake and sustainability within academic institutions.

Conclusions:

• The developed training model is effective for integrating SUD education into higher education curricula.
• The approach ensures the successful adoption and long-term sustainability of the SBIRT model in academic settings.
• This interdisciplinary model addresses critical gaps in health professional training for substance use disorders.