Shared decision making for PTSD in primary care.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop when a person is exposed to an extremely traumatic event or series of events including abuse or life-threatening illness. In the current climate of COVID-19, the rates of PTSD have increased because many people describe traumatic experiences of Covid-19 symptoms which themselves or their families have experienced. Lockdowns also meant that some vulnerable people experienced more abuse at homes, which again may lead to PTSD. In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more urgent than ever to recognise and help people with PTSD manage their symptoms.

 People with PTSD often develop alcohol dependence and may think or try to harm themselves. Therefore, it is very important that PTSD is recognised and treated almost immediately. However, people with PTSD are often worried about looking for help and may also feel ashamed. They falsely believe that PTSD is untreatable and do not know what interventions and help are available. However, they will contact their GPs and value peer support.

The NICE guidelines advise that GPs should be the first point of contact for assessing and helping people with symptoms of PTSD. To improve diagnosis and treatment of PTSD symptoms in primary care, we need to increase patients’ knowledge and skills in discussing their symptoms with their GP and making shared decisions about treatment options together with their GPs. Mobile technologies have become popular because they allow people to easily access peer support and use the health information that they need. Mobile apps and automated therapy chatbots can provide people with PTSD easily accessible peer support and empower them to discuss their symptoms with their GPs. These apps can provide the much-needed urgent help to people with PTSD which is difficult to provide within the short 10-minute GP appointments.

In this project, we will do a review of the literature to find out what mobile interventions are available to help patients with PTSD in primary care and which of these are most helpful. We also will use this knowledge to refine using coproduction a PTSD app (PTSD hub) during a series of workshops with patients, carers, and clinicians.

We will work with a stakeholder advisory group including patients, carers, and health professionals to incorporate their views throughout the project including how to analyse and present the findings of the review of the literature and how to facilitate the co-production workshops.

Our findings will help us to co-produce an app to improve the quality of care that people with PTSD receive in primary care. We will co-produce plain English summaries and infographics; disseminate findings through websites, social media, and our links with health professional organisations and relevant charities. Findings will be reported in scientific journals and during conferences.

Amount awarded: £49,978