Development and feasibility pilot of Considering PTSD Treatment: An online intervention with peer support

Abstract

Considering PTSD Treatment is an online program adapted from the National Center for PTSD's AboutFace website. Developed to help veterans overcome barriers to seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the program features videos of veterans describing PTSD and what treatment was like. Peer specialists are available at the beginning and end to chat with participants. We describe initial pilot feasibility data in 50 veterans recruited through online ads who screened positive for PTSD and were not currently in treatment. Eighty percent of participants who consented enrolled in the program and 64.0 % completed all modules. On average, participants rated the program at least “moderately” helpful and over 90 % reported feeling more knowledgeable about PTSD and PTSD treatment. Of the 21 participants who completed the one month follow-up, 52.4 % said they had talked to or were assessed by a provider and 61.9 % said they started treatment. There was not a significant change in stigma scores from baseline to follow-up. Results provide initial support for the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of Considering PTSD Treatment for increasing treatment seeking readiness and support the need for a larger randomized controlled trial.

Keywords

• Posttraumatic stress disorder
• Online Intervention
• Veterans
• Peers
• Stigma