Abstract
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common among primary care patients and is associated with significant functional impairment,
physical health concerns, and mental health comorbidities. Significant barriers to receiving adequate treatment often exist
for primary care patients with PTSD. Mental health professionals operating as part of the primary care team have the potential
to provide effective brief intervention services. While good PTSD screening and assessment measures are available for the
primary care setting, there are currently no empirically supported primary care-based brief interventions for PTSD. This article
reviews early research on the development and testing of primary care-based PTSD treatments and also reviews other brief PTSD
interventions (i.e., telehealth and early intervention) that could be adapted to the primary care setting. Cognitive and behavioral
therapies currently have the strongest evidence base for establishing an empirically supported brief intervention for PTSD
in primary care. Recommendations are made for future research and clinical practice.
physical health concerns, and mental health comorbidities. Significant barriers to receiving adequate treatment often exist
for primary care patients with PTSD. Mental health professionals operating as part of the primary care team have the potential
to provide effective brief intervention services. While good PTSD screening and assessment measures are available for the
primary care setting, there are currently no empirically supported primary care-based brief interventions for PTSD. This article
reviews early research on the development and testing of primary care-based PTSD treatments and also reviews other brief PTSD
interventions (i.e., telehealth and early intervention) that could be adapted to the primary care setting. Cognitive and behavioral
therapies currently have the strongest evidence base for establishing an empirically supported brief intervention for PTSD
in primary care. Recommendations are made for future research and clinical practice.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10880-011-9237-4
- Authors
- Kyle Possemato, Center Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 800 Irving Ave-116C, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Journal Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
- Online ISSN 1573-3572
- Print ISSN 1068-9583