J Korean Med Sci.  2023 May;38(19):e146. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e146.

A Novel Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Based Model for Mental Health in Occupational Health Implemented on Smartphone and Web-Based Platforms: Development Study With Results From an Epidemiologic Survey

• Kim J
• Yeom CW
• Kim H
• Jung D
• Kim HJ
• Jo H
• Koh SB
• Hahm BJ

• KMID: 2542396
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e146

Abstract

Background
While the importance of mental health is well-recognized in the field of occupational health, implementation of effective strategies in the workplace has been limited by gaps in infrastructure, program comprehensiveness, coverage, and adherence. The authors developed a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model based occupational mental health intervention, and implemented in a web-based format with a smartphone application.
Methods
The SBIRT-based intervention was developed by a multidisciplinary team, including occupational health physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, and software developers. The following mental health areas were included, based on outcomes of an epidemiological survey conducted: insomnia, depression, anxiety, problematic alcohol use, and suicidal risk. The viability of the two-step evaluation process utilizing a combination of the brief version and the full-length version of the questionnaire was examined using responses from the survey. The intervention was adjusted according to the survey results and expert opinions.
Results
The epidemiological survey included 346 employees who completed the long-form version of mental health scales. These data were the used to confirm the diagnostic value of using a combination of short-form and long-form version of the scales for screening in the SBIRT model. The model uses a smartphone application for screening, provision of psychoeducation, and for surveillance. The universal methods of the model ensure it can be implemented by all occupational managers, regardless of their specialization in mental health. In addition to the two-step screening procedure to identify employees at-risk for mental health problems, the model includes a stepped care approach, based on risk stratification, to promote mental health education, management, and follow-up for continuous care.
Conclusion
The SBIRT model-based intervention provides an easy-to-implement approach for the management of mental health in the workplace. Further studies are required to examine the effectiveness and feasibility of the model.

Keyword

Occupational Health; Mental Health; Screening; Sur veillance; Digital Technology; SBIRT

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 General flow of the development of the SBIRT-based occupational health intervention.ISI-K = Korean version of the Insomnia Severity Index, PHQ = Patient Health Questionnaire, GAD = Generalized Anxiety Disorder, AUDIT-K = Korean version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, MINI = Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, SBIRT = Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment.

• 

  Fig. 2 The outline of the intervention. Each square represents parts of the intervention. (A) Screening and risk stratification; (B) Recommendations; (C) Follow-up and continuous surveillance. Colors of lines indicate the severity of symptoms for a mental health problem. Dashed line indicate that the strategy is offered on condition.OHM = occupational health manager.

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