Implementing a screening programme for post-traumatic stress disorder following violent crime

BACKGROUND: The emergence of validated means to determine which individuals will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic event has raised the possibility of designing and implementing effective screening programmes following traumatic events. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to study the usefulness and implementation of a PTSD screening programme for victims of violent crime presenting to an emergency unit. DESIGN: There were 3,349 individuals who presented to an emergency unit following a violent crime were asked to complete the Trauma Screening Questionnaire 2 weeks later. Those who scored above a standard cut-off were invited to attend a mental health assessment and subsequently offered treatment according to their needs. RESULTS: Of the 3,349 individuals contacted, 572 (17.1%) responded, 338 (10.1%) screened positive, 26 (0.78%) attended for assessment, and 9 (0.27%) received treatment for PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: This simple screening programme was not as useful as was hoped raising questions regarding how best to develop screening programmes for PTSD following violent crime and other traumatic events.