Tips for Discussing Trauma During an Initial Assessment

Trauma can increase the risk of health, social, and emotional problems. Despite the high prevalence of patients with a past history of trauma, few clinics or Collaborative Care teams have a protocol for addressing it. These three tips can help clinicians safely and effectively discuss the trauma history of their patients during their initial assessment.

PCL-5

The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a 20-item self-report measure that assesses DSM-5 symptoms of PTSD. This measure was developed by staff at the Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for PTSD. It is free for qualified health professionals and researchers to use.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Handout

This tool provides an overview of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including symptoms, risk factors and treatment options. A Behavioral Health Care Manager can use this handout to supplement a patient’s education about PTSD.