Screening to Augment Referral to Treatment- Project START

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigators propose to use obstetric-gynecological clinics to conduct a randomized clinical trial that would compare two SBIRTS (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment), delivered either by a trained nurse or by computer, to usual care (a control condition). As part of this trial, the investigators will include outcomes that allow us to assess the cost effectiveness of these three conditions.

Detailed Description
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Aim 1: To assess whether SBIRT, based upon motivational interviewing and delivered either by computer or a trained nurse, leads to decreased use of a subject's primary drug of abuse. Hypothesis #1a: Referrals based upon motivational principles and delivered by computer, as compared to usual care (health brochure with treatment resources), will lead to greater reductions in a woman's primary substance of abuse. Hypothesis #1b: Referrals based upon motivational principles and delivered by nurse, as compared to usual care (health brochure with treatment resources), will lead to greater reductions in a woman's primary substance of abuse. Aim 2: To determine whether SBIRT based upon motivational interviewing and delivered either by computer or by a nurse will promote substance abuse treatment utilization for the primary drug of abuse. Hypothesis #2a: Treatment utilization (eg. treatment initiation, attendance, use of quit-line or medication) will be higher if a woman receives the computer delivered brief intervention than if she receives usual care only. Hypothesis #2b: Treatment utilization (eg. treatment initiation, attendance, use of quit-line or medication) will be higher if a woman receives the nurse delivered brief intervention than if she receives usual care only. Secondary Aim 3: To evaluate whether SBI leads to a decrease in HIV/AIDS risk Hypothesis #3: Rates of sexually transmitted diseases, injection drug use and risky sexual behavior will be lower at follow up for subjects who receive either computer or a nurse delivered brief intervention than usual care subjects. Secondary Aim 4: To compare the relative cost-effectiveness of the three interventions. Hypothesis #4a: Screening and usual care will be the most cost-effective intervention method when the value of an additional unit of effect for the given individual's outcome is relatively low. Hypotheses #4b: Screening, and a brief intervention delivered by computer, will be the most cost-effective treatment method when the value of an additional unit of effect is relatively high. Hypotheses #4c: Screening, and a brief intervention delivered by a nurse, will be less cost-effective than a brief intervention delivered by computer.

Official Title
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Screening to Augment Referral to Treatment- Project START

Conditions
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Alcohol Abuse, Tobacco Use Disorder, Marijuana Abuse, Substance-Related Disorders

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Motivational Interview
* Other: Treatment as Usual


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: In order to participate, women must meet the following criteria: Are non-pregnant and meet ASSIST criteria for at least moderate risk for alcohol (≥11) or drug (≥4) abuse or dependence (tobacco or illicit drugs, including cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine, marijuana or a prescription drug used in a medically inappropriate manner). Are pregnant and meet ASSIST criteria for at least mild to moderate risk for alcohol (≥6) or drug (≥4) abuse or dependence (alcohol, tobacco, an illicit drug, or a prescription drug in a medically inappropriate manner). We define pregnant women who use alcohol or drugs at least monthly in the last 90 days as eligible because alcohol and many of the other substances (eg. tobacco) are teratogens and use in pregnancy would be consistent with a diagnosis of abuse (recurrent use in situations in which it is physically hazardous). This level of use in pregnancy also indicates a greater likelihood of problematic substance use. Have used their primary substance at least once within the prior 28 days. Are aged 18 or more. We include participants who are aged 18 or older because parents may not be available at screening to provide consent for non-pregnant participants and subjects may not wish to disclose drug or alcohol abuse to a parent. Exclusion Criteria: Women are ineligible if they have any of the following criteria: Are unable to speak English. Are incarcerated or at risk of incarceration. The YNHH Women's Center provides care to incarcerated women. These individuals as well as those at risk of incarceration are excluded because incarceration precludes their ability to seek specialty drug or alcohol abuse treatment (a dependent measure). Have a cognitive disorder that would impair their ability to provide informed consent or provide accurate information. Require immediate hospitalization because of general medical needs or due to active suicidal or homicidal ideation or other behavioral health problems. We exclude individuals who are in need of immediate hospitalization because hospitalization will render it more difficult for them to immediately follow-up on a referral and because providers, rather than subjects, may be making the decision to initiate treatment. Hospitalization would also potentially force women who smoke to initiate treatment for tobacco addiction. Are currently participating or have participated in drug abuse treatment, including self-help interventions (eg. 12 step facilitation, smoking cessation interventions), within the last 3 months prior to screening. Are planning to relocate out of the area in the following 6 months. Women who relocate out of the area would be difficult to see for follow up assessments and it would be difficult to confirm treatment attendance in local treatment centers. Have previously participated in this protocol or Are unwilling to participate or accept randomization.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Motivational Interview<br>Motivational interview provided by a clinical research nurse or physician. | Behavioral: Motivational Interview<br>* Motivational Interview provided by either a Nurse or Computer<br>|
| Active Comparator: Motivational Interview-Electronic<br>Motivational Interview provided by an interactive computer program. | Behavioral: Motivational Interview<br>* Motivational Interview provided by either a Nurse or Computer<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Treatment as Usual<br>No intervention- resource list provided. | Other: Treatment as Usual<br>* Subjects given a brochure listing relevant recovery resources in the local area.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Days Per Month of Primary Substance Use | Participants completed a timeline followback at each assessment, reporting days of primary substance use. Outcomes reported are raw means and standard deviations. | 7 non-overlapping monthly intervals from baseline to month 6 | 
| Treatment Utilization | Treatment utilization assessed via participant self-report at each follow-up interview, and with the exception of self-help groups, verified with providers. We also reviewed the medical record for use of medication indicative of treatment (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy). | baseline to 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rates of STDs | rates of incident std's per patient's medical records | baseline to 6 months | 
| Mean Cost for Each Intervention | The data table includes the mean cost for implementation of each intervention from the societal perspective. The costs do not include the research costs | 6 months |