title: Veteran satisfaction and treatment preferences in response to a posttraumatic stress disorder specialty clinic orientation group.
abstract: To maximize accessibility to evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has widely disseminated cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure (PE) therapy to VA clinicians. However, there is a lack of research on veteran preferences when presented with a range of psychotherapy and medication options. This study uses a mixed-method approach to explore veteran satisfaction with a VA PTSD specialty clinic pre-treatment orientation group, which provides education about available PTSD treatment options. This study also tested differences in treatment preference in response to the group. Participants were 183 US veterans. Most were White, male, and referred to the clinic by a VA provider. Results indicated high satisfaction with the group in providing an overview of services and helping to inform treatment choice. Most preferred psychotherapy plus medications (63.4%) or psychotherapy only (30.1%). Participants endorsed a significantly stronger preference for CPT versus other psychotherapies. PE was significantly preferred over nightmare resolution therapy and present-centered therapy, and both PE and cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy were preferred over virtual reality exposure therapy. Results suggest that by informing consumers about evidence-based treatments for PTSD, pre-treatment educational approaches may increase consumer demand for these treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Trauma Recovery Center, 3200 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; University of Cincinnati, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, 260 Stetson Street, Suite 3200, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA. Electronic address: Jeremiah.Schumm@va.gov.
authors.forename: Jeremiah A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Schumm
authors.affiliation: Veterans Medical Research Foundation, VA San Diego Healthcare System, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Trauma Recovery Center, 3200 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA.
authors.forename: Anne S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bartone
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Trauma Recovery Center, 3200 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; University of Cincinnati, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, 260 Stetson Street, Suite 3200, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007171:Implosive Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Choice; Medication; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Psychotherapy; Veterans