Faculty Collaboration Database

Patient experiences in making PTSD treatment decisions. Psychol Serv 2024 Aug;21(3):529-537

Date

10/19/2023

Pubmed ID

37856390

Pubmed Central ID

PMC11026293

DOI

10.1037/ser0000817

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85190698784 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   8 Citations

Abstract

Although there is a range of effective posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments, the number of patients who receive those treatments is disappointingly low (Finley et al., 2015; Maguen et al., 2018). Very little research has examined the patient experience of deciding on a PTSD treatment option and how that experience influences treatment preference and selection. In a sample of 12 veterans and 10 providers, we recorded the sessions in which providers discussed PTSD treatment options with their patients and then interviewed patients to ask their impressions of those same sessions. Specifically, using qualitative analysis, we sought to understand (a) patient preferences and experiences of choosing a PTSD treatment option, (b) what information patients retain from treatment planning sessions, and (c) why patients chose a given treatment. Almost all the patients in this sample chose an evidence-based psychotherapy but could remember little about the options afterward. Patients reported that providers presented options neutrally and that they made shared decisions with their providers. Most could talk through their reasons for coming to a decision and felt comfortable with the decision, but decisions were often made heuristically rather than deliberatively. Surprisingly, a few patients had a hard time explaining why they chose a specific treatment, were not conscious of their exact reasons for choosing a treatment, or seemed unable to remember why they chose a treatment. We also noticed subtle ways in which providers' discussions influenced treatment choice. Implications for practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Author List

Larsen SE, Hooyer K, Kehle-Forbes SM, Hamblen J

Author

Sadie E. Larsen PhD Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Decision Making
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Participation
Patient Preference
Psychotherapy
Qualitative Research
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Veterans