NUR 650: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
Week 1: Introduction to SBIRT and Substance Use Epidemiology
Discussion: Introduce yourself and discuss your prior experience (or lack thereof) with substance use screening in clinical practice. Why is SBIRT important in advanced nursing practice today? Respond to at least two peers.
Assignment: Complete a self-paced introductory SBIRT overview module (e.g., free online training) and submit a 1-page reflection on key takeaways and personal learning goals.
Week 2: Screening Tools and Techniques
Discussion: Compare and contrast at least two validated screening tools (e.g., AUDIT for alcohol vs. DAST for drugs). Discuss strengths, limitations, and applicability in different patient populations (e.g., adolescents, pregnant patients, older adults). Provide examples from the literature.
Assignment: Practice applying screening tools to 2–3 hypothetical case scenarios. Submit a written analysis identifying risk levels and rationale.
Week 3: Motivational Interviewing Foundations
Discussion: Explain the core principles of motivational interviewing (MI) and how they differ from traditional directive advice-giving in substance use conversations. Share a personal or observed example of resistance in patient interactions.
Assignment: Watch MI demonstration videos and complete a short quiz on MI techniques (OARS: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries).
Week 4: Brief Interventions in Practice
Discussion: Analyze a provided case study of a patient with moderate-risk substance use. Outline how you would structure a 5–15 minute brief intervention using MI. Discuss potential challenges and how to address them.
Assignment: Develop a scripted role-play dialogue for a brief intervention (3–5 minutes) based on a case scenario. Submit the script with annotations explaining MI elements.
Week 5: Referral to Treatment and Care Coordination
Discussion: Discuss barriers to successful referral (e.g., stigma, access, insurance) and evidence-based strategies to overcome them. How can nurses advocate for patients during the referral process? Include community resources in your response.
Assignment: Create a resource guide or referral flowchart for a specific setting (e.g., primary care clinic or psychiatric practice), including local/national options and follow-up protocols.
Week 6: Special Populations and Cultural Considerations
Discussion: Examine SBIRT adaptations for special populations (e.g., adolescents, pregnant/postpartum women, veterans, or diverse cultural groups). How does trauma-informed care intersect with SBIRT? Provide examples.
Assignment: Annotated bibliography (3–5 sources) on SBIRT application to one special population, highlighting evidence and nursing implications.
Week 7: Implementation, Evaluation, and Integration into Practice
Discussion: Identify organizational barriers and facilitators to implementing SBIRT in clinical settings. Propose a brief plan for integrating SBIRT into your current or future practice site, including evaluation metrics.
Assignment: Mid-course self-assessment reflection: Evaluate your progress toward course objectives and identify remaining growth areas.
Week 8: Culminating Project and Course Synthesis
Discussion: Reflect on how SBIRT has changed (or will change) your approach to patient care. Discuss one key insight or skill you will apply immediately in practice. Respond thoughtfully to peers.
Assignment: SBIRT Presentation – Develop and submit a 10–15 slide PowerPoint presentation on a chosen SBIRT topic (e.g., screening tool review, brief intervention case, or implementation plan). Include evidence-based content, screening tool authors/references, visuals, and speaker notes. Presentation must demonstrate integration of all SBIRT components. (This serves as the major course project; often weighted heavily.)Grading Breakdown (Example)Weekly Discussions: 30% (participation and quality)
Weekly Assignments/Reflections: 30%
SBIRT Presentation: 30%
Quizzes/Completion of Training Modules: 10%
Total: 100%This structure ensures progressive skill-building from foundational knowledge to practical application and synthesis. The course emphasizes active learning through discussions and hands-on assignments to prepare students for competency in SBIRT delivery.
Course Description
This course equips advanced practice nursing students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to implement SBIRT—an evidence-based public health approach for the early identification, prevention, and intervention of substance use disorders (SUDs). Students explore the epidemiology of substance use, standardized screening tools, motivational interviewing techniques for brief interventions, referral processes to specialty treatment, and strategies for integrating SBIRT into clinical practice across primary care, psychiatric, emergency, and community settings.Emphasis is placed on patient-centered care, cultural competence, ethical considerations, and reducing stigma associated with substance use. Through interactive discussions, case analyses, role-playing simulations, and a culminating presentation, students develop proficiency in applying SBIRT to promote positive behavioral change at the individual and population levels. The course aligns with SAMHSA guidelines and prepares students for real-world application in advanced nursing roles.
samhsa.gov
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in nursing or instructor permission.
Format: Online/hybrid with weekly modules, asynchronous discussions, and synchronous elements (if applicable). Course Objectives / Learning OutcomesUpon successful completion, students will be able to:Describe the SBIRT framework and its role in addressing substance use across the lifespan.
Select and apply validated screening tools (e.g., AUDIT, DAST, CAGE-AID) to assess risk levels for alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription misuse.
Utilize motivational interviewing principles to deliver effective brief interventions.
Identify appropriate referral pathways and resources for patients requiring higher levels of care.
Analyze barriers to SBIRT implementation and strategies for integration into clinical workflows.
Evaluate the impact of SBIRT on patient outcomes through evidence-based literature.
Demonstrate cultural humility and trauma-informed care when addressing substance use.
Required ResourcesSAMHSA SBIRT resources and guidelines.
Selected readings on motivational interviewing (e.g., Miller & Rollnick).
Validated screening tool manuals.
Access to online SBIRT training modules (free resources available).
Weekly StructureEach week includes:Assigned Readings & Multimedia (articles, videos, SAMHSA materials).
Weekly Discussion (initial post + substantive replies to peers; 2–3 prompts per week).
Assignment/Activity (varied by week; includes quizzes, reflections, or practical components).
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