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The Effects of PTSD Symptoms on Health Care Resource Utilization in a Low‐Income, Urban Primary Care Setting
Author(s) -
Klassen Brian J.,
Porcerelli John H.,
Markova Tsveti
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.21838
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , psychiatry , medicine , posttraumatic stress , mental health , primary care , health care , clinical psychology , family medicine , economics , macroeconomics , economic growth
Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms engage in greater rates of health care utilization. Existing literature is limited, however, because the number of visits to health care providers is exclusively used as an outcome. Low‐income women ( N = 96) screening positive for PTSD symptoms ( n = 23; 23.9%) were compared to those who did not ( n = 73) on a range of health care utilization outcomes obtained through a chart review. Significant PTSD symptoms were associated with more complaints per visit, ordered labs, and prescribed medications—beyond the effects of age, depression symptoms, and chronic illness. Individuals with PTSD symptoms are a challenge to primary care as currently practiced. Collaboration with mental health professionals and specific primary care procedures to diagnose and treat PTSD are needed.