Application of System Dynamics to Inform a Model of Adolescent SBIRT Implementation in Primary Care Settings

David William Lounsbury, Shannon Gwin Mitchell, Kristi Ann Dusek, Josh Zhi Li, Arethusa S. Kirk, Marla Oros, Colleen Hosler, Robert P. Schwartz, Jan Gryczynski, Laura B. Monico, Barry S. Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

System dynamics (SD) modeling is used to compare and contrast strategies for effective implementation of an evidence-based adolescent behavioral health treatment in primary care settings. With qualitative and quantitative data from an on-going cluster-randomized trial in 7 federally qualified health center sites, two implementation conditions were compared: generalist vs. specialist. In the generalist approach, the primary care provider (PCP) delivered brief intervention (BI) for substance misuse (n = 4 clinics). In the specialist approach, BIs were delivered by behavioral health counselors (BHCs) (n = 3 clinics). The resultant SD model compared ‘basecase’ dynamics to strategic approaches to deploying continuous technical assistance (TA) and performance feedback reporting (PFR). The basecase effectively represented the SBIRT intervention, which reflected actual monthly volume of adolescent primary care visits (N = 9639), screenings (N = 5937), positive screenings (N = 246), and brief interventions (BIs; N = 50) over the 20-month implementation period. Insights gained suggest that implementation outcomes are sensitive to frequency of PFR, with bimonthly events generating the most rapid and sustained screening results. Simulated trends indicated that availability of the BHC directly impacts success of the specialist model. Similarly, understanding PCPs’ perception of severity of need for intervention is key to outcomes in either condition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)230-244
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Behavioral Health Services and Research
Volume47
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Health Policy
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Application of System Dynamics to Inform a Model of Adolescent SBIRT Implementation in Primary Care Settings'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this