Synopsis of the 2023 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and US Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has an overall estimated prevalence of 6.1% in the general population and between 4 -17% in service members. This clinical practice guideline (CPG) intends to promote evidence-based management of PTSD, thereby improving patient’s clinical outcomes. The CPG is designed to assist primary care and mental health clinicians and specialists in the diagnosis of PTSD, using a patient-centric approach in determination of appropriate treatment and delivery of individualized interventions with a focus on mental health recovery. The Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense (VA/DoD) evidence-based practice work group convened a joint VA/DoD guideline development effort that included an interdisciplinary panel of practicing clinician experts. The clinician experts developed key questions in collaboration with the ECRI Institute, which systematically searched and evaluated published clinical literature through May 4, 2022. Recommendations are based on a systematic review of the scientific evidence, a weighing of the benefits and harms of interventions, consideration of what is known about patient values and preferences, and consideration of the applicability of the evidence across demographic groups and settings. Recommendations by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. This CPG is intended to promote evidence-based management of PTSD and thereby improve patient’s clinical outcomes. Reducing mental health morbidity is important for the health and well-being of active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. This poster presentation summarizes key features of the CPGs: the appropriate diagnosis of PTSD, target treatment goals, algorithms, and nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments.

Outcomes: Participants will be able to describe and emphasize the use of patient-centered care and shared decision making with persons who have PTSD. Participants will be able to describe algorithms for assessment, diagnosis, and management of PTSD. Participants will be able to describe guidelines for healthcare providers for adults with PTSD in all stages of PTSD to minimize preventable complications. Participants will be able to describe non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments for the management of PTSD.

This CPG and algorithm are designed for adaptation by individual healthcare providers with respect to unique patient considerations and preferences, local needs, and resources. The algorithm serves as a tool to prompt providers to consider key decision points in the care for a patient with headache, encouraging to use a patient-centered, whole/holistic health approach. Service/agency this content is being presented from VA/DoD.