PCP SBIRT Training Components

From Clinicaltools.com

We are developing a skills-training program for primary care physicians that addresses practice gaps in current clinical treatment of unhealthy substance use and substance use disorders. The courses attempt to improve competency and performance measures, which should ultimately affect patient outcomes.

The program curriculum was recently updated to be in accordance with the SBIRT best practice guidelines that are being proposed by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). If implemented, the JCAHO guidelines would standardize the substance abuse screening, brief intervention, referral and treatment practices in hospitals and other health care facilities in the United States.

The program consists of 6 CME courses: 4 are focused on alcohol/drug abuse, 2 are focused on tobacco use. The curriculum is being developed at SBIRTTraining.com [1].

1 Instructional Format
2 Curriculum Learning Objectives
3 Course 1: Screening for Unhealthy Alcohol Use or Drug Abuse
4 Course 2: Brief Intervention and Other Treatments for Unhealthy Alcohol Use or Drug Abuse
5 Course 3: Referral and Management for Alcohol or Drug Treatment
6 Course 4: Follow-Up for Alcohol or Drug Treatment
7 Course 5: Screening and Assessment for Tobacco Use
8 Course 6: Tobacco Treatment and Follow-up

Instructional Format

Each course includes a brief didactic portion focused on clinical guidelines and skill-building. The skills are then demonstrated via multimedia case studies, featuring patient interviews and interactive clinical decision-making. Lastly, the courses include remote, live standardized patient interviews for learners to apply and evaluate their newly acquired skills.

Curriculum Learning Objectives

Because the program is focused on skills-training, not just knowledge, the learning objectives are predominately skills-based.

After completing this training program, the learner will be able to:

Select and utilize substance abuse screening tools
Conduct brief interventions for substance use problems
Select and refer patients to the appropriate type of substance abuse treatment center and/or specialist
Follow up with and reassess patients who receive treatment for substance abuse
Screen and assess patients for tobacco use and assist them with quitting
Treat and refer tobacco dependent patients
Utilize motivational interviewing techniques when discussing substance use with patients