OTs Role in Addressing the Substance Use Epidemic
Maria Scanlon, OTS Jesse Hinkle, OTS Sylvia McCauley, OTS Jessica Moritz, OTS
Amy Mattila, PhD, OTR/L Sharon Novalis, PhD, OTR/L
Background
Screening, Brief Intervention, and
Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is
an approach to the delivery of
early intervention and treatment to
people with substance use disorders
(SUD) and those at risk of
developing these disorders (Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
2015).
In 2014, approximately 21.5 million
people over the age of 11 had an
identified SUD (Centers for Behavioral
Health Statistics and Quality, 2015).Currently,
there is a gap in the evidence
regarding occupational therapists
use of SBIRT to identify substance
use.
Clinical Relevance
According to Vision 2025, OT will
excel in providing collaborative and
evidence-based care to the
populations they serve, such as
those affected by SUDs (American
Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2016).
Clients affected by SUDs may
experience deficits in areas of
occupation as identified in the OT
Practice Framework such as ADLs,
IADLs, work, education, leisure,
social participation, play, and rest
and sleep (AOTA, 2014).
Purpose
To gain perspective of practicing OT
clinicians perceived roles and
barriers in treating clients struggling
with substance use.
Survey Results
An 18-question survey was
dispersed to practicing OT
clinicians to increase awareness of
their perspectives and
implementation of SBIRT.
79% of participants indicated they
have a personal experience with an
individual with a SUD.
60% of participants indicated they
did not know what SBIRT was prior
to the survey.
Out of 27 responses, 8 individuals
indicated they have received
education/training in SBIRT.
100% of SBIRT educated/trained
individuals reported being
comfortable or very comfortable in
the administration of SBIRT.
Literature Review
15% to 20% of emergency
department patients come to the ED
with alcohol use problems. This
number increases to 25% to 50% in
trauma center patients (Desy, Howard,
Perhats, & Li, 2010, p. 538).
$484 billion per year is being spent
on substance abuse indicating a
need for intervention (Marshall et al.,
2012, p. 30).
Perceived barriers of SBIRT
administration include: motivating
change in behavior, facilitating
treatment when appropriate,
deficient clinical skills and
knowledge, negative attitudes, and
discomfort with patient discussions
(Marshall et al., 2012).
Recommendations
Future research to include the
administration of SBIRT by
occupational therapists across a
variety of settings
Overall, our findings suggest that
when appropriately implemented,
SBIRT has the potential to reduce
alcohol consumption, drinking
frequency, substance use, and
hospital visits (Dsy, Howard, Perhats, & Li,
2010; Marshall et al., 2012).