Interactive Computer Simulation for Adolescent Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for Substance Use in an Undergraduate Nursing Program

Abstract

PurposeAdolescent substance use has been identified as our nation's number one public health problem. Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based approach to identify and address adolescent substance use. Despite recommendations for universal implementation, adolescent SBIRT training has been notably absent from undergraduate nursing curricula. This project describes and evaluates the effectiveness of using an interactive computer simulation for adolescent SBIRT in an undergraduate nursing program. Design and methodUndergraduate nursing students (n = 144) completed an adolescent SBIRT interactive computer simulation (SBI with Adolescents, Kognito). Self-perceived competence, confidence, and readiness to deliver adolescent SBIRT were measured via pre- and post-survey items. Student attitudes toward substance use and simulation-based learning were also studied. At the end of the simulation, students received an automatic assessment challenge score based on performance. We compared the pre- and post-SBIRT scores using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the sign test for repeated measures using 2-tailed α = 0.05. ResultsWe saw significant (p < .05) improvement in overall student competence, confidence, and readiness to deliver SBIRT. Positive quantitative and qualitative feedback were also received regarding the simulation experience. ConclusionsAdolescent SBIRT training was successfully integrated into an undergraduate nursing curriculum. There were significant improvements in self-reported competence, confidence, and readiness to deliver adolescent SBIRT. Practical implicationThis project provided further support for the potential benefits of an interactive computer-based simulation in an undergraduate nursing curriculum.