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Symposia
Primary Care / Integrated Care
Sheila Rauch, ABPP, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Professor in Psychiatry
Emory University SOM/Atlanta VAMC
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
H. Myra Kim, ScD (she/her/hers)
Research Scientist/Adjunct Professor
CSCAR, University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Ronald Acierno, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
Professor
UTHealth Houston
Houston, Texas, United States
Carly Ragin, B.A.
Clinical Research Coordinator
Atlanta VA Medical Center
Decatur, Georgia, United States
Bethany Wangelin, PhD (she/her/hers)
Psychologist
Tailored Brain Health and previously Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Medical University of South Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
Kimberly Blitch, M.A., LPC, Other
Research Health Science Specialist
Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Wendy Muzzy, MRA, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Research Instructor
MUSC/Ralph H Johnson VA Health Care System
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Stephanie Hart, M.P.H.
Research Coordinator
Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Grace Ingham, B.A.
Research Coordinator
Atlanta VAHCS/Emory SOM
Decatur, Georgia, United States
Prolonged Exposure for Primary Care (PE-PC) leverages the setting where many veterans first present for mental health service to increase access and engagement in PTSD treatment. PE-PC has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing PTSD and related mental health issues in 4 to 8, thirty minute sessions in primary care. Of note, this short-term intervention may not fit the needs of all PTSD patients. Examination of possible factors that can predict who might benefit from brief, PC-based care was the focus of the current analyses. Using data from a clinical trial of PEPC in VA PC, we examined predictors of symptom response trajectories for veterans with chronic PTSD. Predictors included demographics, baseline PTSD and depression severity, baseline functional impairment, and treatment expectancy and credibility. Four trajectories emerged for psychological symptoms. Three trajectories of function emerged. Baseline PTSD, depression, and functional impairment levels predicted trajectories. Among Veterans who did not show change (or showed slight worsening) over time higher baseline levels of symptoms or functional impairment predicted membership. Demographics, treatment expectancy, and credibility did not predict symptom or function impairment trajectories. PEPC is particularly effective for veterans presenting to primary care with moderate PTSD symptoms or functional impairment.