SWAGƵ lauded for substance use intervention training in ‘WMTW’ story

SWAGƵ health professions students talk with actor Bob Pettee, who plays the role of a patient during SBIRT training
SWAGƵ health professions students talk with actor Bob Pettee, who plays the role of a patient during SBIRT training

WMTW highlighted a SWAGƵ program that trains its future health professionals to screen patients for potential substance misuse disorders in a story titled, “Ending substance abuse before it begins; the program at SWAGƵ that could save lives.”

SBIRT, or , is a program being implemented among health care providers nationwide. It is an evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce and prevent problematic use, abuse, and dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs. The goal is to equip all health care providers with the training to have conversations about substance use in a non-threatening environment.

“This helps us to identify people who are at risk for substance use especially to identify them early in the process when there's an opportunity to have a conversation that might shift the future course of use of substances,” said Clay Graybeal, Ph.D., professor in the School of Social Work and director of the program at SWAGƵ.

SWAGƵ received a three-year training grant from the federal government in 2016, and while other schools around the nation are also training students, SWAGƵ’s program is unique in its interprofessional approach. Students studying osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine, dental hygiene, nursing, occupational therapy, physician assistant and social work are learning the skills together in team-based environments in the classroom and in SWAGƵ's Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center.

“Our students can make a big difference in the future and we’re really trying to set them up for that,” said Program Manager Kris Hall, M.F.A.

       

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The SWAGƵ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.