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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Care | Research article

Psychological interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder involving primary care physicians: systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Authors: Rebekka Gehringer, Antje Freytag, Markus Krause, Peter Schlattmann, Konrad Schmidt, Sven Schulz, Sophie Jana Zezulka, Florian Wolf, Jonas Grininger, Mathias Berger, Horst Christian Vollmar, Jochen Gensichen

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Evidence-based psychological interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are available in specialized settings, but adequate care in primary care is often lacking.
The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of psychological interventions for PTSD involving primary care physicians (PCPs) and to characterize these interventions as well as their providers.

Method

A systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Primary outcome were symptoms of PTSD.

Results

Four RCTs with a total of 774 patients suffering from PTSD symptoms were included, all applying cognitive behavioural based interventions. Three studies with psychological interventions being conducted by case managers were pooled in a meta-analysis. Interventions were not effective in the short term (0–6 months; SMD, − 0.1; 95% CI, − 0.24-0.04; I2 = 0%). Only two studies contributed to the meta-analysis for long term (12–18 months) outcomes yielding a small effect (SMD, − 0.23; 95% CI, − 0.38- -0.08; I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

Psychological interventions for PTSD in primary care settings may be effective in the long term but number and quality of included studies was limited so the results should be interpreted with caution.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Psychological interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder involving primary care physicians: systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors
Rebekka Gehringer
Antje Freytag
Markus Krause
Peter Schlattmann
Konrad Schmidt
Sven Schulz
Sophie Jana Zezulka
Florian Wolf
Jonas Grininger
Mathias Berger
Horst Christian Vollmar
Jochen Gensichen
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Care
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-020-01244-4

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