Adapting the Public Health Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Model for Proactive Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Intervention
Ohio State University
Summary
This prospective observational study evaluates three Disease Intervention Specialist service models designed to proactively identify and support adults at risk for substance use disorder. The models include substance use screening, motivational interviewing, case management, treatment referral, and optional peer support. The study will compare participant outcomes across the service models, including substance use severity, treatment engagement, overdose, service utilization, and satisfaction.
Description
There is a critical need to intervene with individuals affected by substance use disorder (SUD) earlier in their trajectory, even before they present to a location where screening or care could be possible. Rapid diagnosis and linkage to treatment (secondary prevention) is a cornerstone of any epidemic response but often very delayed for SUD. For communicable infectious diseases (ID), health departments employ disease intervention specialists (DIS) skilled in outreach to underserved and disproportionately affected populations identified via social contacts, who once located, disclose their own…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * age: must be 18 years or older at the time of screening * language: must be English-Speaking * Capacity and willingness to participate * SUD risk or diagnosis * Not already in SUD care Exclusion Criteria: * Non-English Speaking * Currently engaged in formal substance use disorder treatment at the time of initial DIS contact * Low risk or does not have a current substance use disorder diagnosis
Location
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterColumbus, Ohio