TABLE 1.

MD3 Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Coding Scale by DiClemente et al.⁵¹

Recording	Coder
SBIRT-Adherent Behaviours
Behaviour	Notes				Points
Raise the substance use subject respectfully					0	1	2
Open-ended questions					0	1	2
Acknowledge discomfort and/or express genuine concern about patient					0	1	2
Review current pattern of substance use	Alcohol	Tobacco	Illicit drugs	Prescriptions	0	1	2
Affirmation/strengths recognition					0	1	2
Reflections (repeating, rephrasing, paraphrasing, or reflection of feeling)					0	1	2
Assess readiness to change					0	1	2
Assess confidence					0	1	2
Provide relevant medical information					0	1	2
Respectful advice giving					0	1	2
Goal setting and developing plan					0	1	2
Summarize					0	1	2
Arrange a follow-up and/or referral to treatment					0	1	2

Total number of adherent behaviours (coded as 1 or 2 only) = Total positive points =
SBIRT Non-Adherent Behaviours
Behaviour	Checks	Points per Behaviour			Total Points
Warning/threatening		−1
Being paralysed/unable to respond to patient concerns		−1
Untimely or disrespectful advice giving and/or establishing goal or agenda without patient input		−1
Labelling, premature diagnoses and/or stereotyping		−1
Emphasis of power differential and/or judgmental tone		−1
Lecturing and/or using medical jargon		−1
Inappropriate response to patient comment/question		−1
Total number of non-adherent behaviours =Total negative points =
Total Points =
Global Ratings
Collaboration	1	2	3	4	5
Empathy	1	2	3	4	5

Note: A separate coding guide with scale anchors and examples is necessary for utilization of the MD3 SBIRT coding scale. Please contact the authors for more information.