SBIRT“H”: Incorporating Harm Reduction Strategies into the SBIRT Model

Sunday, April 7, 2024

8:30 AM – 9:45 AM

Presenter(s)

Namrata Walia, MD, MPH, MHA

Resident Physician, PGY2
University of Texas Health Sciences Houston, Texas
Michael F. Weaver, MD, DFASAM

Medical Director
Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas

Slides
Daryl Shorter, MD

Medical Director // Associate Professor
The Menninger Clinic // Baylor College of Medicine, Texas

Harm reduction “meets people where they are” to address substance use and improve quality of life by reducing negative outcomes, including needle exchange programs and overdose rescue kits. Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) addresses substance use by motivating individuals towards a change in behavior. SBIRT“H” is an approach for incorporating harm reduction strategies into the SBIRT model. Attendees will learn ways to connect and engage with their patients to help promote harm reduction strategies when appropriate.

Learning Objectives:

Learners will be able to:

Recognize harm reduction strategies such as needle/syringe exchange programs, naloxone opioid overdose rescue kits, bridge clinics, and low-barrier medication for opioid use disorder.
Describe the role of harm reduction and the importance of introducing the concept while using the SBIRT model in clinical practice.
Discuss the ethical dilemma around harm reduction and how to introduce the concept to patients and their families.