Early Risky Drug Use Detection in Primary Healthcare: How Does It Work in the Real World?

Abstract

Despite effectiveness in research, the efficacy of screening and brief intervention (SBI) for risky substance users is not adequately understood in routine clinical practice. Primary healthcare professionals (n = 103) from three cities in a metropolitan area in Brazil were trained and supervised in SBI and then screened 40 patients. One year later, meetings were held in each city to obtain feedback. Twenty professionals who fulfilled the task (Yes [Y]) and 24 who did not (No [N]) were individually interviewed about their SBI experience. Reports were independently interpreted and codified by two researchers. The Y and N groups reported the same barriers and positive beliefs, but only the Y group reported no negative issues. The present study lasted from 2007 to 2009.

Country-Wide Distance Training for Delivery of Screening and Brief Intervention for Problematic Substance Use: A Pilot Evaluation of Participant Experiences and Patient Outcomes

“…4 Several studies indicate that early detection and intervention directed to alcohol and other drugs users reduced their chances of developing addiction and other medical and psychosocial problems associated with chronic use of psychoactive substances. 4 , 11 , 44 – 46 However, in many health and social systems, there are not enough trained professionals 15 , 25 , 26 to deliver SBIRT to problem substance users. Therefore, this pilot study was important to demonstrate the potential use of a distance learning course to train health professionals and social workers to deliver SBIRT.…”