Develop a model training program on MH/SUD screening
Recommendation
The Department of Health and Human Services should develop a model training program to be disseminated to all levels of medical education (including all prescribers) on screening for mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUD) to identify at-risk patients.[1]
Background/summary
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2021, nearly one in four adults reported having a mental health condition. The data also found that 46.3 million people, or 16.5 percent of the population, were living with a substance use disorder (SUD), and 94 percent did not receive any treatment.[2] Screening approaches allow providers to identify mental health and substance use challenges early on and are critical to early intervention and treatment.[3] The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) established the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) that focuses on the use of tools to assess early need and refer those in need to treatment services.[4] Since 2003, it has funded various training programs for medical and professional residents, but has not been incorporated nationally into medical curricula or applied as routine care.[1][4]
citations
1. Presidential Commission. “The President’s Commission On Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis.” Last Updated October 2017.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “SAMHSA Announces National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Results Detailing Mental Illness and Substance Use Levels in 2021.” Last Updated January 4, 2023.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force Report.” Last Updated May 6, 2019.
4. US. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT).” Last Updated August 12, 2022.