Primary Care-Nonprofit Partnerships: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Screening and Treatment for Veterans

Veterans using civilian health care may suffer from undiagnosed posttraumatic stress disorder and have barriers to care. Through a primary care and nonprofit partnership, we trialed a posttraumatic stress disorder risk screening tool and referral process. Of almost 850 screened patients, 100 self-identified as veterans. Of those, 15 were deemed at-risk and referred, and 13 requested and received services from the nonprofit. Postimplementation feedback from staff and provider focus groups was positive, but inconsistent screening compliance and nonprofit organizational instability were barriers to optimal implementation and evaluation.