Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) implementation in urban underserved family medicine.

Abstract

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence based practice that provides early integrated intervention and treatment to patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and/or Substance Use Disorders (SUD). Three Primary Care Medical Homes (PCMHs) in North Texas were selected as pilot sites for a SAMHSA grant designed to integrate SBIRT into existing services. The goal of this program is to support the stabilization and community reintegration of individuals who present with SUD in our community by providing them with a continuum of care from screening, brief intervention, brief treatment, and referral to services. Specific aims of the grant included: provide SBIRT services to eligible participants, decrease in substance and alcohol use at 6-month follow-up, improve patient physical and behavioral health measured at 6months, and decrease in Emergency Department visits and costs for program participants. This brief report examines project design, outlines our implementation strategies and offers preliminary results.