Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based approach for the early identification and management of substance use concerns. However, inconsistent implementation may occur when healthcare staff lack confidence and competence in applying SBIRT in clinical practice. This Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project addressed a practice gap related to low confidence and competence among interdisciplinary healthcare staff implementing SBIRT in a behavioral health facility. The purpose of the project was to implement and evaluate a standardized SBIRT education and competency-based training program. Guided by the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model, the educational intervention incorporated evidence-based SBIRT instruction, motivational interviewing, competency validation, and case-based learning. Fourteen interdisciplinary healthcare staff members participated in the project over a 3-week implementation period. Outcomes were evaluated using pre- and post-intervention confidence surveys and competency assessments, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Overall mean confidence increased from 3.48 (SD = 1.24) before training to 4.73 (SD = 0.36) after training on a 5-point Likert scale. Overall competency increased from 37.14% (SD = 6.56) to 90.71% (SD = 9.55). Improvements were observed across SBIRT domains, including screening, risk stratification, motivational interviewing, brief intervention, referral determination, documentation, and workflow integration. Findings support standardized SBIRT education and competency-based training as an effective strategy for strengthening interdisciplinary healthcare staff confidence and competence in delivering evidence-based SBIRT interventions. Integrating standardized SBIRT education into staff orientation, annual competency validation, and continuing professional development may support sustained implementation, earlier identification of substance use concerns, timely intervention, and equitable access to treatment services.

Improving Interdisciplinary Healthcare Staff Confidence and Competence in Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Through Standardized SBIRT Training in a Behavioral Health Facility
Grace Kakie Awo Aidoo
