Ann Mitchell
Professor of Nursing and Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing
Title: Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment for at-risk substance use: Nurse practitioners poised to make a difference in primary care settings
Biography
Biography: Ann Mitchell
Abstract
Background: Alcohol and other drug use and misuse are public health problems resulting in high healthcare and societal
costs. This presentation will review the implementation of a screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT)
program across multiple groups of advanced practice students to reach vulnerable populations at risk. Policy support for
SBIRT utilization comes from the US Preventive Services Task Force, the American Nurses Association, the American College
of Surgeons, the Joint Commission, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Outcome results, after the incorporation
of SBIRT into three advanced practice graduate nursing school curricula, including knowledge, skills, and attitudes will be
presented.
Methods: A mixed-method approach was used to measure the effects of education and curriculum infusion of SBIRT into
three advanced practice graduate nursing school curricula. Pre-to-post attitude surveys of nursing students towards working
with individuals who use alcohol or other drugs were measured as well as knowledge and skills post-training.
Results: SBIRT education positively influenced participants’ attitudes towards working with individuals who use alcohol or
other drugs. SBIRT education had the most pronounced significant effect on indicators of role security, including role adequacy
and role legitimacy (p<0.05) across all programs. Effects on indicators of therapeutic commitment, including motivation
and role support varied depending upon the program. Knowledge surveys indicated a significant increase in post-training
knowledge of SBIRT across all programs and participants’ skills were satisfactory post-training.
Conclusions: Nurse practitioners are in an ideal position to have a positive impact on patient care and patient outcomes
through the incorporation of screening for alcohol and other drug use, and when appropriate to provide a brief intervention
or a referral for further assessment or treatment.