Geographic Variation in Initiation of Evidence-based Psychotherapy Among Veterans With PTSD.

Introduction: The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has invested in implementation of evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for over a decade, resulting in slow but steady uptake of these treatments nationally. However, no prior research has investigated the geographic variation in initiation of EBP. Our objectives were to determine whether there is geographic variation in the initiation of EBP for PTSD in the VA and to identify patient and clinic factors associated with EBP initiation.

Comparing Medications for DSM-5 PTSD in Routine VA Practice.

Objective: Fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, topiramate, and venlafaxine have previously shown efficacy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One prior study using US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical records data to compare these agents found no differences in symptom reduction in clinical practice. The current study addresses several weaknesses in that study, including limited standardization of treatment duration, inability to account for prior treatment receipt, use of an outdated symptomatic assessment for PTSD, and lack of functional outcome.