Primary Care Advanced Practice RNs' Knowledge of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Screening

• Published in: Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services Vol. 55; no. 9; pp. 23 - 32
• Main Authors: Link, Kimberly A, Smith, Lynette S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SLACK INCORPORATED 01.09.2017
• Subjects: Advanced Practice Nursing; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Knowledge; Mass Screening; Medical screening; Mental health care; Mental Health Services - utilization; Nursing; Post traumatic stress disorder; Primary care; Primary Health Care - organization & administration; Psychiatric-mental health nursing; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - therapy; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States > US
• ISSN: 0279-3695; 1938-2413
• DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20170818-10

Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may seek treatment for their symptoms within the primary care setting. Research suggests PTSD often goes undiagnosed in primary care. Primary care providers (PCPs) might have deficiencies in their knowledge of PTSD screening and screening practices. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to examine primary care advanced practice RNs' (APRN) knowledge of PTSD screening and screening practices, along with subjective norms, attitudes, and self-efficacy regarding PTSD screening. Deficiencies in knowledge of PTSD screening and screening practices were identified. Discrepancies were found between reported subjective norms and screening practices, and most participants reported low self-efficacy and stated screening was not important. Numerous barriers to screening were identified. Additional education and training may be needed to improve primary care APRNs' PTSD screening knowledge and screening practices. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55(9), 23-32.].