Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Prenatal Alcohol Use and Cigarette Smoking: A Survey of Academic and Community Health Care Providers

Factors associated with intention to implement SBI and SUD treatment: a survey of primary care clinicians in Texas enrolled in an online course

BACKGROUND

Substance use disorder (SUD) presents a range of public health challenges and consequences. Despite the prevention potential of screening and brief intervention (SBI) in the primary care setting, implementation is low. The purpose of this study was to assess associations of primary care clinicians' knowledge of SBI and SUD treatment, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control with intention to incorporate SBI and SUD treatment into regular clinical practice.

METHODS

This online survey was administered to primary care clinicians who practice in Texas between March 1, 2021, and February 5, 2023. Survey questions were mapped to factors in the Theory of Planned Behavior and included measures of knowledge, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral controls related to SBI and SUD treatment. Intention to engage in SBI and SUD treatment was assessed as the outcome.

RESULTS

Of 645 participants included in this study, 59.5% were physicians. Knowledge was low, with less than half correctly reporting what was considered a standard drink (39.6%) and only 20% knew the correct number of alcoholic beverages considered risky drinking in 21-year-old non-pregnant women. Subjective norms, such as having colleagues within their practice support addressing SUDs, and perceived behavioral control such as having SUD screening routinized within clinic workflows, were positively associated with intention to implement SBI and SUD treatment in primary care settings.

CONCLUSIONS

Modifying knowledge gaps, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control requires a multipronged interventional approach that blends accessible clinician training with systemic workplace enhancements and a collective shift in professional norms.

Implementation of a Perinatal Substance Use Screening Protocol in the Outpatient Setting

OBJECTIVE

To implement the 5Ps Screen for Alcohol/Substance Use tool and the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) process into clinical practice to determine if enhanced training would improve perinatal providers' adherence to universal screening.

DESIGN

A quality improvement project using a pre- and postintervention design.

SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM

Three community-based, outpatient obstetrics and gynecology clinics in southeastern Massachusetts. The local problem identified was that no validated screening tool was being used for universal screening of substance use in pregnancy.

INTERVENTIONS/MEASUREMENTS

Training consisted of two phases that reviewed the SBIRT process, the 5Ps screening tool, brief intervention conversations, and the process for referral to treatment. Pre- and postimplementation screening rates were compared and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests of independence.

RESULTS

Preimplementation screening rates were 14.4%. Screening rates measured 1 month after implementation were 44.6% (p < .001). Universal screening was not achieved.

CONCLUSION

Short-term improvement in screening for perinatal substance use was observed. Whether these results are sustainable beyond the project time frame is unknown. Future work should examine longer-term outcomes and continued barriers to universal uptake of the screening protocol.

Risk Identification in Perinatal Health Care Settings via Technology-Based Recruitment Methods: Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

Digital screening and intervention tools have shown promise in the identification and reduction of substance use in health care settings. However, research in this area is impeded by challenges in integrating recruitment efforts into ongoing clinical workflows or staffing multiple study clinics with full-time research assistants, as well as by the underreporting of substance use.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to evaluate pragmatic methods for facilitating study recruitment in health care settings by examining recruitment rates and participant characteristics using in-person-based versus flyer approaches.

METHODS

This study compared recruitment rates at a Women's Health clinic in the Midwest under 2 different recruitment strategies: in person versus via a flyer with a QR code. We also examined the disclosure of substance use and risk screener positivity for the 2 strategies. We also obtained information about the current use of technology and willingness to use it for study participation.

RESULTS

A greater percentage of patients recruited in person participated than those recruited via flyers (57/63, 91% vs 64/377, 17%). However, the final number recruited in each group was roughly equal (n=57 vs n=64). Additionally, participants recruited via flyers were more likely to screen positive for alcohol use risk on the Tolerance, Annoyed, Cut Down, Eye-Opener alcohol screen than those recruited at the clinic (24/64, 38% vs 11/57, 19%; χ21=4.9; P=.03). Participants recruited via flyers were also more likely to screen positive for drug use risk on the Wayne Indirect Drug Use Screener than those recruited at the clinic (20/64, 31% vs 9/57, 16%; χ21=4.0; P=.05). Furthermore, of the 121 pregnant women, 117 (96.7%) reported owning a smartphone, 111 (91.7%) had an SMS text message plan on their phone, and 94 (77.7%) reported being willing to receive SMS text messages or participate in a study if sent a link to their phone.

CONCLUSIONS

The distribution of flyers with a QR code by medical staff appears to be an efficient and cost-effective method of recruitment that also facilitates disclosure while reducing the impact on clinic workflows. This method of recruitment can be useful for data collection at multiple locations and lead to larger samples across and between health systems. Participant recruitment via technology in perinatal health care appears to facilitate disclosure, particularly when participants can learn about the research and complete screening using their own device at a place and time convenient for them. Pregnant women in an urban Midwestern hospital had access to and were comfortable using technology.

Early Insights into Implementation of Universal Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Perinatal Substance Use

OBJECTIVES

Perinatal substance use is a growing concern across the United States. Universal screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is one systems-level approach to addressing perinatal substance use. The objective of this study is to assess early efforts to implement SBIRT in an outpatient obstetric clinic.

METHODS

The research team implemented universal screening with the 5 P's screening tool. Providers then engaged patients in a brief intervention and referred to a care manager who then worked with patients via tele-health to connect patients with needed services. Feasibility was measured through the collection of aggregate data describing frequency of universal screening and referral to treatment. The implementation team met bi-weekly to reflect on implementation barriers and facilitators.

RESULTS

In the first year of implementation, 48.5% of patients receiving care in the clinic completed the 5 P's screener at least once during the perinatal period. Screening occurred in a little over a quarter (26.5%) of eligible visits. Of the 463 patients that completed the 5 P's at least once during the perinatal period, 195 (42%) unique patients screened positive (answered yes to at least one question).

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

Early implementation efforts suggest this approach is feasible in this obstetric setting. Similar implementation studies should consider implementing universal screening for substance use and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders simultaneously; guide efforts using an implementation framework; invest resources in more intensive training and ongoing coaching for providers; and adopt strategies to track frequency and fidelity of brief intervention.

Midwives' experiences of supporting healthy gestational weight management: A mixed methods systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Excessive levels of gestational weight gain (GWG) are linked with poorer health outcomes for mother and baby, including an increased risk of pregnancy-related hypertension, labour induction, caesarean delivery and increased birth weight.

OBJECTIVE

To explore literature relating to midwives' experiences and challenges and identify interventions relating to GWG.

DESIGN

This review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed methods systematic reviews. CINAHL complete, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, the Cochrane Library and MEDLINE were systematically searched in May 2022. Search terms related to midwives, advice, weight management and experiences were used. A PRISMA approach was taken to identify data, and thematic analysis combined with descriptive statistics allowed synthesis and integration.

FINDINGS

Fifty-seven papers were included and three overarching themes were generated; i) emotion and weight, ii) ability to influence and iii) practical challenges and strategies for success. Weight was consistently described as a sensitive topic. Challenges included level of expertise and comfort, perceptions of ability to influence and an awareness of incongruence of midwives' own weight and the advice they are delivering. Interventions evaluated well with some self-reports of improved knowledge and confidence. There was no evidence of impact on practice or GWG.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

Although addressing maternal weight gain is an international priority due to the significant risks incurred, in this review we have identified multiple challenges for midwives to support women in healthy weight management. Identified interventions targeting midwives do not directly address the challenges identified and are therefore likely to be insufficient to improve existing practice.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Partnership working and co-creation with women and midwives is essential to ensure knowledge about maternal weight gain is effectively shared across communities to catalyse change.

A blended model to support brief interventions in primary care: A qualitative study of usability and acceptability of HealthEir in community pharmacy

BACKGROUND

Brief interventions for lifestyle behaviour change are effective health promotion interventions. Primary care settings, including pharmacies, are the most frequently visited healthcare facilities and are well placed to provide brief health interventions. However, despite the evidence-based and policy guidance, barriers to brief interventions have limited their implementation.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the usability and acceptability of HealthEir, a blended model with digital, print, and communication elements designed to support the delivery of brief health-promoting interventions in pharmacy practice.

METHODS

Usability tests using a think aloud protocol and set tasks (to assess usability) and semi-structured interviews (to assess acceptability) were conducted with fifteen patients and twelve pharmacists. Usability data were analysed deductively using Nielsen's five quality components of usability as a framework. Acceptability data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

All participants found HealthEir straightforward to use and completed the required tasks without assistance. A small number of patient and pharmacist participants identified opportunity for improvement of the digital element. Acceptability was also high, with individual comments from participants identifying opportunity for improvements to HealthEir, and two patients identifying privacy or safety concerns. The majority of comments regarding acceptability reflected wider social and cultural challenges such as perceptions of the roles of pharmacists and pharmacies and the low priority of preventative health interventions.

CONCLUSION

HealthEir has been demonstrated to be a usable and acceptable support that has the potential to overcome barriers to delivery of brief interventions in pharmacies. Usability and acceptability testing identified minor changes that may further improve its design prior to piloting and implementation.

Screening and Brief Interventions for Alcohol Use During Pregnancy: Practices Among US Primary Care Clinicians, DocStyles 2019

INTRODUCTION

Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause birth defects and developmental disabilities. From 2018 through 2020, 13.5% of pregnant women reported current drinking. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends evidence-based tools (eg, AUDIT-C and SASQ) for implementing screening and brief interventions to reduce excessive alcohol use among adults, including pregnant people, for whom any alcohol use is considered excessive.

METHODS

We used DocStyles 2019 data to conduct a cross-sectional analysis to examine current screening and brief intervention practices that primary care clinicians conduct among pregnant patients; clinicians' confidence levels in conducting screening, brief interventions, and referral to treatment; and the documentation of brief interventions in the medical record.

RESULTS

A total of 1,500 US adult medicine clinicians completed the entire survey. Among the respondents who conduct screening (N = 1,373) and brief interventions (N = 1,357) in their practice, nearly all reported implementing screening (94.6%) and brief interventions (94.9%) with their pregnant patients for alcohol use, but fewer than half felt confident about conducting their screening practices (46.5%). Two-thirds (64%) reported using a tool that met the criteria recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Over half documented brief interventions in electronic health record notes (51.7%) or designated space (50.7%).

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy presents a unique opportunity for clinicians to incorporate screening into routine obstetric care and encourage behavior change among patients. Most providers reported always screening their pregnant patients for alcohol use, but fewer used evidence-based USPSTF-recommended screening tools. Increased clinician confidence in screening and brief intervention, the use of standardized screening tools tailored to pregnant people, and maximal use of electronic health record technology may enhance the benefits of their application to alcohol use, which ultimately can reduce adverse outcomes associated with alcohol use during pregnancy.

Midwives and service users' perspectives on implementing a dialogue about alcohol use in antenatal care: A qualitative study

AIM

There are barriers to midwives engaging in conversations about alcohol with pregnant women. Our aim was to capture the views of midwives and service users to co-create strategies to address these barriers.

DESIGN

Qualitative description.

METHODS

Structured Zoom-based focus group interviews of midwives and service users where we presented known barriers and sought solutions to midwives discussing alcohol use in antenatal settings. Data collection took place between July and August 2021.

RESULTS

Fourteen midwives and six service users attended five focus groups. Barriers considered were as follows: (i) lack of awareness of guidelines, (ii) poor skills in difficult conversations, (iii) lack of confidence, (iv) lack of belief in existing evidence, (v) women would not listen to their advice, and (vi) alcohol conversations were not considered part of their role. Five strategies to address barriers to midwives discussing alcohol with pregnant women were identified. These were as follows: Training that included mothers of children with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, champion midwives, a service user questionnaire about alcohol for completion before the consultation, questions about alcohol added to the maternity data capture template and a structured appraisal to provide a means of audit and feedback on their alcohol dialogue with women.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-creation involving providers and users of maternity services yielded theoretically underpinned pragmatic strategies to support midwives to ask advise assist about alcohol during antenatal care. Future research will test if the strategies can be delivered in antenatal care settings, and if they are acceptable to service providers and service users.

IMPACT

If these strategies are effective in addressing barriers to midwives discussing alcohol with pregnant women, this could support women to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy, thus reducing alcohol-related maternal and infant harm.

PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Service users were involved in the design and execution of the study, considering data, supporting intervention design and delivery and dissemination.

Feasibility of a Brief Intervention to Decrease Harmful Alcohol Use Among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clients in Shanghai: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we aimed to examine the prevalence of alcohol consumption among methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clients in Shanghai and to determine whether a brief intervention (BI) affects drinking among them.

METHODS

A total of 837 clients from 14 local MMT clinics were invited to complete the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). One hundred one were included in the study and randomly assigned to the BI group or the control group. Clients in the BI group received a BI and general health education, whereas clients in the control group received the general health education only. Baseline and postintervention assessments were conducted by using the AUDIT, the Drinking Attitude Questionnaire, the Depression Module of the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the General Well-Being Schedule.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty-nine (30.9%) reported drinking during the last year, and 103 (12.3%) met the criteria for harmful use. At the 3-month follow-up, the AUDIT scores of the 2 groups were significantly decreased, and the time effect was statistically significant ( F = 6.224, P = 0.018), but there was no group difference in AUDIT scores ( F = 1.953, P = 0.172). Both groups had a main time effect of time on the improvement of depression ( F = 8.044, P = 0.008), anxiety ( F = 9.650, P = 0.004), and general well-being ( F = 5.056, P = 0.033). However, there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups ( P > 0.05), and no statistical difference in the time ( F = 1.738, P = 0.198) and group ( F = 0.658, P = 0.424) effect of drinking attitude.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol consumption is common among MMT clients in China. Brief intervention, in its current form, could not effectively help them reduce their alcohol consumption.

Implementing SBIRT to Address Maternal Marijuana Use

A quality improvement project conducted at 3 Texas hospitals to implement a new systematic process to address maternal marijuana use among breastfeeding mothers. The new process was created using the evidence-based Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model to address maternal marijuana use. Nurses screened all postpartum mothers for marijuana use at each of the 3 hospitals. Mothers who reported ever using marijuana were advised to abstain while breastfeeding and given educational materials and a treatment referral card. Among all 3 hospitals, the mean nurses' adherence to the SBIRT process was 69 percent, exceeding the project aim of 50 percent adherence. SBIRT, which has been used extensively with other populations and settings, was easily translated into practice for use with postpartum mothers who reported using marijuana. A systematic process using SBIRT may help mitigate the risk of harm for infants of mothers who use marijuana.