SBIRTchc: Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment in Massachusetts Community Health Centers
As part of a national initiative to detect and intervene with patients in healthcare settings who use and abuse substances, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health/Bureaus of Substance Abuse Services and Family and Community Health have selected thirty-two community health centers to participate in screening, brief intervention and referral for treatment.
- Screening: Identification of risk of alcohol or other drug use and abuse.
- Brief Intervention/Treatment: Motivational strategies to assist patients in making healthy choices around their substance use. Some medical settings also offer the more in-depth Brief Treatment.
- Referral to Treatment: Linkages to treatment are a crucial component for assessing the extent and needs of patients affected by substance use and abuse.
IHR has been a state-wide and national leader in training medical and early childhood professionals on screening pregnant women for substance use and, more importantly, what to do with positive answers, and where to send women for further substance use assessment. As a result of this work (see ASAP1, ASAP2, and FAST) we have expanded the scope of our work to include screening women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and adolescents in primary care settings. As a result of the Institute for Health and Recovery’s prior, successful work in Screening and Early Identification, IHR staff are working in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to provide SBIRT training and technical assistance to these sites. An integrated Behavioral Health Screening Tool is being utilized; this tool incorporates the gender-specific 5 P’s plus Quantity/Frequency, as well as questions on tobacco use, emotional health, and violence. The CRAFFT screening tool, designed by John Knight et al. of Children’s Hospital in Boston, is being utilized for adolescents. IHR staff provide training and technical assistance to all sites.
For more information, please contact Enid Watson, M. Div., Director of Screening and Early Identification Projects.
Links:
- 5 P’S Rationale
- 5 P’S Screening Outcomes
- ASAP Curriculum
- Training and Technical Assistance