title: Telephone monitoring and support for veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Craig S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Caryn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: DiLandro
authors.forename: Kim N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Corwin
authors.forename: Kent D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Drescher
authors.forename: Jean H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cooney
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gusman
mesh_terms: 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*