A process evaluation of the brief alcohol screening intervention for college students program

Background: Alcohol misuse by students is a prevalent public health problem on college campuses across the US. Underage drinking and binge drinking are two distinct forms of alcohol misuse that are common among college students and often result in negative consequences for the students, the universities, and the surrounding communities. As a result, there is an increasing need for universities to provide targeted intervention programs for students who misuse alcohol.  It is important that the interventions are capable of successful implementation. A public university, located in the southeastern United States, currently uses the Brief Alcohol Screening Intervention for College Students (BASICS) program for students who violate university alcohol policies. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct a process evaluation of the BASICS program and determine the extent to which this program is being implemented as designed. Methods: The evaluation used direct observation of the BASICS provider training session, interviewing key policy makers and program planners, analyzing BASICS records, including repeat violations and other follow-up data, and using audiovisual recordings to observe the BASICS providers during individual and group counseling sessions.  Results: Findings indicate that the BASICS program is not being implemented as designed.  There were fewer individual counseling sessions than planned and the quality and quantity of motivational interviewing (MI) during individual counseling sessions were low. Conclusions:  Given that the program was not implemented as designed we cannot draw any conclusions regarding the planned program.  However, the program that was delivered had limited impact on participants’ alcohol misuse.