Authors: John S. Wodarski
This project developed and introduced an SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) training program for both social work students and practicing healthcare professionals by capitalizing on existing relationships between healthcare agencies throughout the state of Tennessee with the University of Tennessee’s College of Social Work. The SBIRT model was developed by an Institute of Medicine recommendation for community-based screening for at-risk behaviors such as substance and alcohol abuse. Serious mental illness and substance abuse disorders, as well as co-morbid health conditions of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia are of grave concern in Tennessee. This project is intended to promote statewide adoption and practice of SBIRT through the inclusion of currently practicing social workers in the SBIRT training program and through the dissemination of program methodologies and results to the states’ healthcare community. Four hundred seventy four (474) participants were given SBIRT training at baseline and one hundred twenty nine (129) of these participants were later contacted during follow-up and completed the CSAT Training Satisfaction Survey. Results indicated an improved satisfaction with service effectiveness across the follow-up period. While the overall selfreported satisfaction with the training was positive, participants suggested improvements to training that included the call for more engaging video presentations, more case study examples, and more personal experiences being introduced and explained by the presenters.
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