Patient Outcomes in Varying Length Post Traumetic Stress Disorder Programs at the Denver VA Medical Center

摘要

The department of Veterans Affairs has provided a number of treatment programs for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) including outpatient, varying length inpatient stays, and residential care. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a statistically significant difference between the outcome measurements of each varying length intensive PTSD program (a 13 week, 11 week, and 6 week) provided by the Denver VA Medical Center since 1994. Outcomes measured were admission and discharge Beck Depression Scale and Mississippi Scale for Combat Related PTSD. Correlation analysis showed significance at the 0.01 level indicating patient improvement at the conclusion of each program. However, analysis of variance by program revealed no statistically significant differences between the variables (t less than 1). This study supports the null hypothesis that there were no differences in the outcome measures of the programs concluding patients are just as well served in a shorter intensive program as in a longer program. This would save costs and improve access to the program for more veterans.