Translation of SBIRT technology from research to medical settings: Cross-site evaluation

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and brief focused treatment services for persons with substance use disorders, as well as those at risk of developing them. The dominant research-to-practice model previously relied on a generalist provider framework in which in-house general medical staff are trained to conduct evidenced-based screening and early intervention activities. However, relying solely on in-house generalists did not produce the expected uptake of research-based interventions for patients in need so that new approaches were needed.

This presentation will examine the effect of three primary implementation models on performance indicators including screening rates, brief interventions delivered, brief treatment referrals, and referrals to other services. It will also explore whether some implementation models are more effective (with respect to performance indicators) in some settings than in other others (e.g., outpatient clinics, in-patient hospitals and emergency or trauma departments). Finally, the relationship of these performance indicators on various structural, organizational and cultural variables (e.g., size of health care organization, volume of patients, number of SBIRT trained professionals, education level of trained staff, staffing patterns, provider characteristics, and cultural and political climates influencing the program) will be presented.

Data collected incorporates qualitative and quantitative measures including interviews with key stakeholders, administrators and direct service providers as well as direct observation of SBIRT services. Grantee GPRA data was collected to assess critical site level performance indicators and will be analyzed using a mixed methods approach.