Dissemination

The National Center uses a variety of tools — ranging from face-to-face programs all the way to long-distance “telehealth” approaches — to disseminate information, improve PTSD-related treatment practices, and address challenging patient problems in a range of treatment contexts.

Clinical Training Program

The primary vehicle for face-to-face PTSD-related training in VA is the National Center Clinical Training Program. Attended by PTSD treatment providers from all disciplines, the week-long program includes workshops, lectures, treatment group observations, and problem-solving and consultation sessions. During FY 2005, the program was attended by 54 VA providers, 9 Vet Center providers, 34 DoD providers, and 38 providers from other organizations.

Evidence Based Treatment Dissemination

The VA Office of Mental Health Services is funding the National Center to conduct two national rollouts of evidence based treatments for PTSD, educating VA clinicians across the country. Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy trainings are being conducted throughout VA. These programs both involve a supervisory component and are designed to be self-sustaining by inclusion of Òtrain the trainersÓ architecture.

PTSD 101 Training Program

A major project in recent years has been the development of PTSD 101, a training program that focuses on assessment and treatment of veterans with PTSD, which is delivered cost-effectively over the Internet from the Center's website. Each course is presented by recognized experts in the field, and in addition to course content, the site offers VA clinicians a forum for open exchange of ideas and access to these experts.

Disaster Mental Health Activities

The National Center’s work in disaster mental health continued with the development of a second edition of the PFA manual. This structured, manualized approach to immediate post-disaster mental health intervention, initially launched in the aftermath of 2005Õs Hurricane Katrina, has now been expanded to contain information on provider care, provider worksheets, and extended information on traumatic grief and working with the elderly. A sequel to PFA is currently in development.

PTSD and Telehealth

he National Center continues its work to promote telehealth as a way of providing specialty PTSD services to veterans residing in remote locations. Local and national working groups are providing education and supervision to national programs interested in developing PTSD mental telehealth services for current veterans and those returning from active duty. A four-year clinical trial, funded by VA, to test the efficacy of telehealth for providing anger management groups for PTSD veterans in rural areas of the Pacific Islands is currently underway.