Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health disorder that may not be adequately detected or treated in primary care (PC). The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics and health care utilization of PTSD patients diagnosed in PC versus in specialty mental health care (MHC) across five large, civilian, not-for-profit healthcare systems. Electronic claims and medical record data on patients treated during 2014 were analyzed. Treatment was considered in terms of initiation and dose (i.e., psychotherapy sessions; pharmacotherapy—prescription psychotropics). Of 5256 patients aged 15–88 with a diagnosis of PTSD, 84.4% were diagnosed by a MHC provider. Patients diagnosed by MHC providers had 4 times the rate of and more enduring psychotherapy than those diagnosed by PC providers. Receipt of psychotropics varied by provider type, with generally higher prescription fill levels for patients in MHC. Strategies to better align patient needs with access and treatment modality in PC settings are needed.
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Joan M. Cook, John E. Zeber, Vanessa Simiola, Rebecca Rossom, Jeffrey F. Scherrer, Ashli A. Owen-Smith, Brian K. Ahmedani, Kiumars Zolfaghari, and Laurel A. Copeland declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
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Study procedures were approved or exempted from review by each healthcare system’s Institutional Review Board. Where applicable, a waiver of informed consent was obtained.
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Cook, J.M., Zeber, J.E., Simiola, V. et al. Comparisons Between Patients Diagnosed with PTSD in Primary Care Versus Mental Health Care in Five Large Civilian Health Care Systems. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 28, 221–228 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-020-09706-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-020-09706-8