Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Part 1 Course-CME Paid Option-Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Part 1 Course

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The transcript explains SBIRT, an evidence-based public health approach for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, used to identify and reduce risky substance use, including alcohol and opioids. Mellie Ryan emphasizes universal screening for all patients as a best practice to reduce stigma and catch substance use early. She reviews common validated tools such as AUDIT-C, DAST-10/20, ASIST, CRAFT for adolescents, and 5Ps for perinatal patients, along with the importance of matching the tool to the population.  <br /><br />The presentation also distinguishes screening from toxicology testing: screening uses questionnaires, while testing uses biological samples and should only be done with clear clinical purpose and informed consent. Toxicology results are not a diagnosis and can have false positives or negatives.  <br /><br />A major theme is patient-centered communication. Ryan highlights trauma-informed, nonjudgmental, person-first language and recommends motivational interviewing for brief interventions. If screening is positive, clinicians should provide education, assess readiness to change, and refer patients to treatment or recovery supports. She also notes that SBIRT can be integrated into workflows with EHR tools, pocket cards, staff training, and tracking systems. Overall, the talk frames SBIRT as a practical, effective process that improves early intervention, patient trust, and outcomes.

Asset Subtitle

SBIRT-Part 1

Keywords

SBIRT

screening

brief intervention

referral to treatment

substance use

motivational interviewing

AUDIT-C

trauma-informed communication