Screening For PTSD in Patients with Substance Use Disorder

Background: It is estimated that 5.7% of the population 13 years of age and older will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during their lifetime (Cohen Veterans Bioscience, 2020). PTSD continues to be a national concern and it is linked to higher rates of suicide, which is the 10th leading cause of death in the nation (Britton et al., 2016, p. 103). PTSD has also been linked to the co-occurrence of substance use disorder (SUD). Current evidence confirms a lack of standardized PTSD screening processes in place PTSD for screening high-risk patients with substance use disorder. Aims: This quality improvement project evaluated the effectiveness of an educational intervention offered to medical doctors and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners at Bayless Integrated Healthcare on the topic of screening PTSD in patients with substance use disorder (SUD). Methods: Provider knowledge, training, skills, and opinions were measured using a one-group, pre and post-test design. A Likert style survey was used to measure the listed variables along with provider perspectives regarding screening for PTSD in the SUD population. Results: Six mental health providers completed a 21-item pre- and post-survey that assessed for provider knowledge, training, and intention to screen for PTSD among patients with a SUD before and after receiving an educational intervention. Prior to the intervention, only 66.67% of the providers believed that screening for PTSD in SUD population would benefit public health and after the intervention, 100% of providers felt that the screening would benefit public health. Conclusion: This doctor of nursing (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project demonstrated an increase in provider knowledge, training, and intent to screen for PTSD in patients with SUD population after an educational intervention was offered. These findings provide supportive evidence on the importance of generating and implementing evidence-based educational interventions for healthcare providers to further improve the identification of PTSD in the SUD patient population