Oral

Integration of behavioral health services into primary care services is one of the key components of the Affordable Care Act. Efforts have been made to find feasible, cost-effective methods of conducting behavioral health interventions, especially those related to substance use. SBIRT, or Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, is an effective, behavioral health model for substance use identification and reduction. SBIRT programs have been pilot-tested in multiple settings for multiple substance use scenarios. Studies have shown that SBIRT programs have identified and reduced alcohol abuse and illicit drug use in various venues, including high-volume community-based clinics, federally qualified health centers, university campuses, and workplaces. Outcome and impact evaluations of some programs have shown that patients are able to continue their healthy behaviors even months after the intervention. The successful implementation of these programs among a variety of populations, including among office workers, university students, and ethnically-diverse urban patients, shows that SBIRT programs are highly effective regardless of the population base as well. Due to the novelty of SBIRT programs, however, these studies have suggested that future SBIRT programs make a sustained effort to track outcomes in a uniform manner and provide ongoing staff/physician training until these methods become a routine part of primary care check-ups.

Session Objectives: Discuss the many potential opportunities to integrate Primary Care and SBIRT in community–based settings for diverse patient populations. Describe how SBIRT can be used to reduce high risk binge drinking in a college setting. Explain use of SBIRT in workplace settings as a tool in behavioral health care.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)