ABSTRACT
P osttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in the general population with estimates ranging from 7% to 9% (Kessler et al., 1995; Breslau et al., 1998) and is even more prevalent among patients presenting to primary care settings, where rates range from 12% to 25% (Stein et al., 2000; Magruder et al., 2005). PTSD is particularly common among those exposed to war, among whom lifetime prevalence rates are as high as 20% to 30% (Kulka et al., 1990; Hoge et al., 2004). Given both its high prevalence and the existence of safe and effective treatments for PTSD (Foa et al., 1991; Resick and Schnicke, 1992; Davidson et al., 2001), there is widespread agreement that screening for PTSD is warranted (VA/ DoD Clinical Practice Guideline Working Group, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs and Health Affairs and Department of Defense, 2004; Eisenman et al., 2006). Clinical practice guidelines developed jointly between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) recommend PTSD screening for all veterans (VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline Working Group, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs and Health Affairs and Department of Defense, 2004).
