Assessing military veterans for posttraumatic stress disorder: a guide for primary care clinicians.
OBJECTIVE
To educate primary care providers on the physical effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), explain why military veterans are at great risk, and describe how to identify PTSD in primary care clients.


METHODS
Current scientific and psychiatric literature on PTSD.


CONCLUSIONS
PTSD is prevalent in the military community because of the frequency and type of trauma seen in the combat zone. With the ongoing military deployments, assessment for the presence of PTSD is increasingly important for comprehensive and high-quality primary care. Clients with trauma histories, such as veterans, are at increased risk for physical disorders such as heart disease and psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary care clinicians, including those outside the military health system, are essential in identifying trauma histories and directing clients to appropriate care.
Romanoff
Maria R
MR
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA. mromanoff@partners.org
D018674:Adrenergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008403:Mass Screening; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology
D018674:Adrenergic Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors