Telephone monitoring and support for veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot study.
Dropout from outpatient mental health treatment may contribute to high rates of relapse and rehospitalization among veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a quasi-experimental cohort study, 87 male and 17 female veterans discharging from residential PTSD treatment received either standard referral to outpatient care (N = 77) or standard referrals supplemented by biweekly telephone calls (N = 27). Telephone monitoring and support was feasible and acceptable to 85% of clients. Compared to prior patient cohorts, clients receiving telephone support were twice as likely (88% vs. 43%) to complete an outpatient visit within 1 month of discharge and reported higher satisfaction with care.
Rosen
Craig S
CS
National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Laboratory and Education Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304-1207, USA. crosen@stanford.edu
DiLandro
Caryn
C
Corwin
Kim N
KN
Drescher
Kent D
KD
Cooney
Jean H
JH
Gusman
Fred
F
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; D013689:Telephone; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*