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VA practice patterns and practice guidelines for treating posttraumatic stress disorder
Author(s) -
Rosen Craig S.,
Chow Helen C.,
Finney John F.,
Greenbaum Mark A.,
Moos Rudolf H.,
Sheikh Javaid I.,
Yesavage Jerome A.
Publication year - 2004
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 - 10.1023/b:jots.0000029264.23878.53
Subject(s) - psychoeducation , guideline , psychiatry , coping (psychology) , anger , sleep hygiene , psychology , medicine , trazodone , clinical psychology , anxiety , psychological intervention , cognition , pathology , antidepressant , sleep quality
Little is known about how recent ISTSS practice guidelines (E. B. Foa, T. M. Keane, & M. J. Friedman, 2000) compare with prevailing PTSD treatment practices for veterans. Prior to guideline dissemination, clinicians in 6 VA medical centers were surveyed in 1999 ( n = 321) and in 2001 ( n = 271) regarding their use of various assessment and treatment procedures. Practices most consistent with guideline recommendations included psychoeducation, coping skills training, attention to trust issues, depression and substance use screening, and prescribing of SSRIs, anticonvulsants, and trazodone. PTSD and trauma assessment, anger management, and sleep hygiene practices were provided less consistently. Exposure therapy was rarely used. Additional research is needed on training, clinical resources, and organizational factors that may influence VA implementation of guideline recommendations.