Training on “Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment” (SBIRT) for Substance Use among Clients on PrEP Program

The Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) program implemented at SHP Clinic, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, with funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), has been operational for over five years. During its implementation, technical support activities between SHP Clinic, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, and other PrEP clinics have been pivotal in fostering professional development and capacity building among facilities running the PrEP program.

On December 27, 2024, the Center for Research and Training on Substance Abuse and HIV (CREATA-H), Hanoi Medical University, SHP Clinic (Hanoi Medical University Hospital), and the WeCare Social Enterprise (SE) collaborated with Lighthouse SE Clinic to organize a training workshop titled “Screening, Brief Interventions, and Referral to Treatment for Substance Abuse.” This training targeted professionals currently working at Lighthouse SE Clinic. Participants in the training came from diverse professional backgrounds, including psychology, nursing, medicine, social work, and other related fields. These individuals brought extensive experience working in the PrEP program and engaging with various community groups. The workshop’s training team included notable experts such as Dr. Nguyễn Hữu Anh, a researcher in the Substance Abuse Specialist Group at CREATA-H, and Mr. Trần Văn Hưởng, a PrEP program counsellor at SHP Clinic. This initiative exemplifies the collaborative effort among stakeholders to enhance technical expertise and broaden the impact of the PrEP program, ultimately contributing to improved public health outcomes.

Trainees listening to the lecture on the process of SBIRT

During the training, the instructors shared in-depth knowledge on key topics, including: (a) Overview of addictive substances; (b) Stages of behavioral change and Motivational Interviewing; (c) Introduction to the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) toolkit; (d) Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (BIRT); and (e) SBIRT implementation procedure and experiences implementing at SHP clinic. In addition to theoretical content, the training featured practical activities such as scenario-based discussions and role-playing exercises. These activities enabled participants to not only understand the theoretical framework but also practice applying SBIRT procedures effectively.

Trainees participating in practical role-playing activities

The training concluded successfully, thanks to the active participation of the attendees. It provided an opportunity to share and discuss specialized knowledge, paving the way for the effective application of the SBIRT model in addressing substance use among clients participating in the PrEP program.