Integrating Evidence-Based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Into a Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is used to screen for substance use, provide a brief intervention, and refer patients with consequential substance use for treatment. Over the past decade, consequential substance use and substance use-related deaths have dramatically increased. SBIRT has been implemented in a variety of settings across the world as a strategy to decrease substance use and prevent further deaths.Problem StatementSubstance use disorder (SUD)-and more specifically opioid use disorder-is a national epidemic. With the increasing amounts of people suffering from SUD, all healthcare professionals should be educated to identify substance abuse, provide a brief intervention, and refer patients for treatment when indicated.PurposeThe purpose of this project is to integrate the SBIRT into the curriculum of a graduate-level family nurse practitioner (FNP) program in southeastern Pennsylvania and to determine if educating FNP students on the SBIRT process increases their knowledge of SUDs and their treatment and increases their motivation to work with patients with SUD.MeasurementsThe measurements used were as follows: shortened Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire (S-AAPPQ), shortened Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire (S-DDPPQ), a 10-question knowledge test, and demographic data.ResultsAll subscales of the S-DDPPQ, the S-AAPPQ, and the knowledge test showed a statistically significant change from the pretest score means and to posttest means. This evidence-based practice project supports the integration of SBIRT education into FNP programs to increase their ability to identify and treat individuals with SUDs.