Advanced practice nursing students’ use of screening and brief intervention in the clinical setting

Abstract

Introduction More than 30% of US adults are estimated to drink at risky levels or meet criteria for harmful or dependent alcohol use. Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) in primary care settings is recommended and nurses, particularly advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners), are being called upon to perform SBIRT for alcohol. This study assessed if knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about SBIRT, evaluated after a three-part, educational training, predicted whether 21 family nurse practitioner (FNP) students screened for alcohol use during subsequent patient encounters in their clinical practica. Objectives Learners will be able to: – describe the general purpose and procedures of SBIRT; – identify three strategies for integrating SBIRT into current practice setting. Aims To help in development of SBIRT skills, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration expanded training grant opportunities in 2013, for education programs to multiple groups of medical professionals. Findings from this study are presented to show the effectiveness of the training for nursing professionals. Method Immediately following training, students completed a survey and then documented implementation of SBIRT during their clinical practica. Results Students who reported higher levels of perceived Competence in their post-training surveys were more likely to screen patients for alcohol use in their clinical practica settings. Conclusion Screening for alcohol use and identifying patients at risk for or engaged in hazardous drinking meet important NP practice competencies. Further research is needed to explore training programs that specifically emphasize activities to increase competence, knowledge, and comfort regarding SBIRT.