Early Insights into Implementation of Universal Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Perinatal Substance Use

Universal screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment is a systems-level approach to addressing perinatal substance use, which is recommended by WHO, SAMHSA, USPSTF, and ACOG. Despite these recommendations, many clinics have not implemented SBIRT. There are few studies of implementation in settings that serve a high rate of rural and Indigenous patients. This study details the experiences and lessons learned from early efforts to implement SBIRT in an outpatient obstetric setting serving high rates of rural and Indigenous patients. This description is followed by a discussion of how findings will direct future implementation efforts in this and similar settings.