Service utilization following participation in cognitive processing therapy or prolonged exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.
This study evaluated the impact of a course of prolonged exposure or cognitive processing therapy on mental health and medical service utilization and health care service costs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Data on VA health service utilization and health care costs were obtained from national VA databases for 70 veterans who completed prolonged exposure or cognitive processing therapy at a Midwestern VA medical center. Utilization of services and cost data were examined for the year before and after treatment. Results demonstrated a significant decrease in the use of individual and group psychotherapy. Direct costs associated with mental health care decreased by 39.4%. Primary care and emergency department services remained unchanged.
Minneapolis VA Health Care System, One Veterans Drive (I16A), Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA.
Laura L
LL
Meyers
Thad Q
TQ
Strom
Jennie
J
Leskela
Paul
P
Thuras
Shannon M
SM
Kehle-Forbes
Kyle T
KT
Curry
D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007171:Implosive Therapy; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*