Barriers to Addressing Adolescent Substance Use: Perceptions of New York School-Based Health Center Providers

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Barriers to Addressing Adolescent Substance Use: Perceptions of New York School-Based Health Center Providers
Language: English
Authors: Harris, Brett, Shaw, Benjamin, Lawson, Hal, Sherman, Barry
Source: Journal of School Health. Feb 2016 86(2):96-104.
Availability: Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2016
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Secondary Education
Junior High Schools
High Schools
Descriptors: Barriers, Middle School Students, High School Students, Substance Abuse, Confidentiality, Prevention, School Health Services, Online Surveys, Intervention, Referral, Correlation, Counselor Training
Geographic Terms: New York
DOI: 10.1111/josh.12358
ISSN: 0022-4391
Abstract: Background: Adolescent substance use is associated with chronic health conditions, accidents, injury, and school-related problems, including dropping out. Schools have the potential to provide students with substance use prevention and intervention services, albeit with confidentiality challenges. School-based health centers (SBHCs) provide confidentiality, positioning them as ideal settings to provide substance use prevention and intervention. This study identified program directors' and clinicians' barriers to addressing adolescent substance use in SBHCs. Methods: Between May and June 2013, an electronic survey was distributed to all 162 New York State SBHC program directors and clinicians serving middle and high school students. Results: The most prevalent perceived barriers to discussing substance use with students were time constraints (43%), the belief that students are not honest about their use (43%), and clinicians' lack of training (28%). Both directors and clinicians identified challenges in getting students to return for additional sessions to address their use, and they also indicated that confidentiality was a treatment referral barrier. Conclusions: This study identified timely opportunities that may be leveraged and unique challenges that may be overcome with targeted dissemination, training, and technical assistance efforts to enable directors and clinicians to routinely address substance use in SBHCs. [This work was presented at the 2014 American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting.]
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2016
Accession Number: EJ1087265
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Background: Adolescent substance use is associated with chronic health conditions, accidents, injury, and school-related problems, including dropping out. Schools have the potential to provide students with substance use prevention and intervention services, albeit with confidentiality challenges. School-based health centers (SBHCs) provide confidentiality, positioning them as ideal settings to provide substance use prevention and intervention. This study identified program directors' and clinicians' barriers to addressing adolescent substance use in SBHCs. Methods: Between May and June 2013, an electronic survey was distributed to all 162 New York State SBHC program directors and clinicians serving middle and high school students. Results: The most prevalent perceived barriers to discussing substance use with students were time constraints (43%), the belief that students are not honest about their use (43%), and clinicians' lack of training (28%). Both directors and clinicians identified challenges in getting students to return for additional sessions to address their use, and they also indicated that confidentiality was a treatment referral barrier. Conclusions: This study identified timely opportunities that may be leveraged and unique challenges that may be overcome with targeted dissemination, training, and technical assistance efforts to enable directors and clinicians to routinely address substance use in SBHCs. [This work was presented at the 2014 American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting.]
ISSN:0022-4391
DOI:10.1111/josh.12358