Services

The BNI ART Institute prepares health care providers, community health educators, psychiatric and social service professionals to screen, intervene and refer patients with at risk or dependent drinking, drug use and other behaviors with negative effects on health.

THE NEED WE SERVE

High risk or dependent drinking and drug use are significant contributors to illness, injury and death, but engaging patients in positive behavior change within the limitations of the medical setting is a significant challenge. Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is a practical, evidence based method that provides clinicians with tools to address a range of behaviors—high risk drinking, drug use, smoking, seat belt non-use, diet and exercise problems, interpersonal violence, and STD/HIV risk—and overcome patients’ resistance to change. The BNI-ART Institute can help you integrate these exciting new techniques into your organization to meet the challenge of addressing preventable conditions.

WHO WE ARE

Boston University researchers are at the forefront in developing practical methods of motivational intervention for medical settings. The BNI-ART Institute is our educational arm for disseminating ‘best practices’ based on lessons learned from research.

Our team includes a wide range of health care disciplines and community health educators (outreach workers placed at the bedside as health promotion advocates to conduct SBIRT and extend the capacity of clinicians).

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Our educational teams provide SBIRT skills training to multi-disciplinary audiences, using an array of interactional instructional methods (videos, role plays, and slideshows). The Institute also offers packages for technical assistance and consultation.

Introductory SBIRT Workshop: on-site: 2 hour session

This introduction to SBIRT offers health care practitioners (physicians, residents, social workers, school nurses, treatment center staff) an opportunity to learn the rationale behind SBIRT and how to incorporate its tools into patient care. It is recommended as a general introduction for health care providers looking to incorporate SBIRT into patient care services or as a skills update or refresher.
*Maximum of 25 persons per session

SBIRT Methods Training Workshop: on-site: 4 hour session

This session, provides a more extensive training in use of SBIRT procedures, affording individual participants more time to practice their skills, using structured role plays. It is recommended for audiences that will be expected to use SBIRT regularly in their interactions with patients.
*Maximum of 25 persons per session

Intensive, Experiential Learning at Boston University: 2.5 day session

This experience offers intensive training and consultation for program development, and includes practice time in the Boston Medical Center Emergency Department. It is recommended for site leaders planning to establish an SBIRT program.
* Maximum of 4 persons per session

Health Promotion Advocate Training at Boston University: 5 day session

This is a package for training community health educators to function as Health Promotion Advocates (HPAs). Trainees acquire SBIRT skills in both classroom and experiential settings, and learn to work along with clinicians to add capacity to the patient care team.
*Maximum of 5 HPAs per training session

Process Improvement Consultations

Consultations can provide a range of services to organizations interested in implementing new SBIRT programs or improving current practices. We can offer assistance with:

- procedures for screening and charting
- monitoring the quality of interventions
- billing arrangements for SBIRT codes
- compliance with regulatory standards
- data collection and program evaluation