Monday, January 11, 2010

Many PTSD Diagnosed Veterans Receive Minimially Adequate Treatment

Full article at: One-third of veterans diagnosed with PTSD receive minimally adequate services

07 January, 2010 10:29:00
Kathlyn Stone

"About 33 percent of U.S. military veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) receive minimally adequate treatment, according to a study published in the January issue of Psychiatric Services."

Treatment Receipt by Veterans After a PTSD Diagnosis in PTSD, Mental Health, or General Medical Clinics
Michele R. Spoont, Ph.D., Maureen Murdoch, M.D., M.P.H., James Hodges, Ph.D., M.A. and Sean Nugent, B.A.

Investigators at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Minneapolis, Minn., and the University of Minnesota analyzed records of 20,284 U.S. military veterans who had received a diagnosis of PTSD at Veterans Affairs facilities.

Approximately two-thirds of those diagnosed with PTSD, all of whom were out-patients, initiated treatment within the first six months after diagnosis. Fifty percent received a psychotropic medication, 39 percent received some counseling, and 64 percent received either medication or counseling. About half (54 percent) of those given medication received at least a four-month supply, and 24 percent of those given counseling had at least eight sessions.

Further, patients who sought treatment at a PTSD specialty program or a mental health clinic received somewhat better therapy than those who received treatment at a general medical clinic.

The study concluded that greater availability of mental health specialty services, particularly PTSD services, may be needed to ensure that veterans receive minimally adequate treatment after a PTSD diagnosis.

Source:

Psychiatr Serv. 2010 Jan;61(1):58-63.

Treatment Receipt by Veterans After a PTSD Diagnosis in PTSD, Mental Health, or General Medical Clinics.