Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Adolescents: Attitudes, Perceptions, and Practice of New York School-Based Health Center Providers

Abstract

Findings from this study identify an important gap between an evidence-based SBIRT model and its adoption into practice within SBHCs, indicating a need for dissemination strategies targeting role responsibility, self-efficacy, and clinicians' perceptions of SBIRT effectiveness.

Barriers to Addressing Adolescent Substance Use: Perceptions of New York School‐Based Health Center Providers

“…Clinicians who do intervene do not provide services on a regular basis. 20 Studies of pediatricians in other practice settings have come to similar conclusions. 10,[21][22][23] This study is the first of its kind to identify SBHC providers' perceived barriers to addressing substance use.…”

“…Similarly, other research conducted by the authors of this paper found strong perceived role responsibility for addressing substance use among SBHC program directors and clinicians (88-97% depending on type of service). 20 In contrast, most pediatricians in other practice settings (79%) and almost half of secondary school teachers (43%) did not feel their settings were responsible for intervention and management of student substance use 11,25 which implies that SBHC staff may be more favorable and willing to deliver substance use services in their SBHCs.…”

“…10,[20][21][22][23] School-based health centers are unique primary care practices which provide a large volume of at-risk students with a confidential environment to discuss sensitive issues. This exploratory study is the first of its kind to identify the challenges to addressing substance use specifically faced by SBHC providers and assess favorability toward adopting and implementing routine substance use service delivery in SBHCs.…”

“…Among youth aged [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]22.7% report drinking alcohol, 14.2% binge drinking, 3.7% heavy drinking, and 8.8% illicit drug use in the past 30 days. 1 Use is associated with motor vehicle accidents, sexual risk taking, sexually transmitted diseases, injury, overdose, cognitive impairment, employment problems, and criminal and violent behavior.…”

The Use of a Brief Alcohol Use Screener to Identify Adolescents at Risk for School Discipline due to Externalizing Behaviors

“…While the resources needed to implement SBIRT in school settings and provide developmentally appropriate prevention or intervention services are substantial, mitigation of the existing school‐to‐prison pipeline is a critical social justice issue . Additional implementation research in school contexts on SBIRT protocols for adolescents will help us to understand better existing barriers to acceptance in schools, as well as the factors related to program feasibility and sustainability …”