Initial Assessment of DOD, VA PTSD Treatment Services – IOM Report Releases July 13

In response to growing national concern about the rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military personnel and veterans, Congress passed legislation calling on the Institute of Medicine to study the availability and effectiveness of PTSD treatments, current and projected costs of these treatments, and what additional research is needed to improve sufferers’ outcomes.

Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Military and Veteran Populations – Initial Assessment, the first report from the IOM’s two-phase study, provides an overview of data that the committee has collected on programs and methods used by the U.S. departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to prevent, diagnose, and treat PTSD. The report offers initial recommendations on steps the departments could take to improve their data collection and services. In its second report, the study committee will assess the success rates of these programs and methods and refine its recommendations.

DETAILS:

Advance copies will be available to reporters only beginning at 1 p.m. EDT Thursday, July 12. The report is embargoed and not for public release before 11 a.m. EDT on July 13. Reporters: To obtain an embargoed copy and arrange interviews with committee members, contact the Office of News and Public Information; tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail news@nas.edu.