Adolescent Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment: Defining a Research Agenda

Abstract

In 2020, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concluded for the second time in 13 years (or third if you include the alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment [SBIRT] review) that there is insufficient evidence available to assess the effectiveness of SBIRT and more study is needed. This report, which focused on reducing substance use, misses some of SBIRT's potential benefits. For example, screening for substance use may lead to better clinical care, even if it does not reduce use.