Enhancing patient satisfaction and increasing treatment compliance: Patient education as a fundamental component of PTSD treatment

Matt J. Gray, Jon D. Elhai, B. Christopher Frueh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the modal mental health problem afflicting combat veterans. In addition to the significant distress resulting from the disorder itself, PTSD has been associated with significant medical comorbidity and increased utilization of medical services. Interventions have historically focused on targeting symptoms directly, with comparatively little attention to systematically educating patients about the etiology and maintenance of the disorder and associated features and treatment issues. This descriptive study summarizes an eight-week PTSD patient education and orientation group. Seventeen patients admitted consecutively to the PTSD Clinic at a large VA hospital completed surveys of patient satisfaction with services and motivation to comply with treatment regimens upon completion of the group. Participants reported very high satisfaction with services, increased awareness of PTSD treatment options, greater optimism and symptom improvement and enhanced motivation to continue with treatment as a result of attending the group.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)321-332
Number of pages12
JournalPsychiatric Quarterly
Volume75
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004

Keywords

  • PTSD
  • Patient education
  • Psychoeducational
  • Trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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