Abstract

Background: In 2011, a pilot implementation program was launched to assess the effectiveness of the SBIRT model as barriers and facilitators in the implementation process in the community, including Primary Health Care (PHC) and Police Stations. Analyze the process of implementing a model of a community system for early detection, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) in people with alcohol and drug risk consumption. Materials and methods: A multiple case study was carried out, applying mixed methods. The surveyed population was 6062 users. Of these, 4851 tests were applied in the Metropolitan Region and 1211 in the municipality of Coquimbo, between December 2011 and May 2012. The qualitative information was collected from semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Results: The SBIRT program was perceived as more complete and standardized than treatment as usual in PHC for the problem of substance use. It is a program of relatively low complexity for health personnel, who were familiar with activities of this type. The times of application of the test and of the Brief Intervention are less compatible with the structure of work for certain PHC professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and midwives, unless it was divided into stages, with the detection phase performed by health technicians, and then intervention by professionals. Conclusions: These findings shade light about strengths and necessary adaptations of the SBIRT program for widespread implementation.