Introduction/Purpose: Military Veterans are at high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to their military service, yet evidence demonstrates that healthcare professionals' lack of knowledge is a factor in underdiagnosis. Implementing a valid screening tool for PTSD in the civilian primary care setting can increase the likelihood of identifying symptoms and offering prompt, appropriate treatment for healing to occur. The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) is a five-item screening tool used in the primary care setting to identify individuals with possible PTSD. The purpose of this quality improvement project was twofold: first, to enhance civilian clinic providers' knowledge of PTSD in Veteran patients, and second, to implement routine screening of Veteran patients for PTSD symptoms using the PC-PTSD-5.

Methods: Participants consisted of Veteran patients referred from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for compensation and pension exams. Patients who self-identified as Military Veteran were also invited to participate. On the day of their visit, Veterans underwent screening using the PC-PTSD-5. Patients who screened positive were referred for further evaluation, following the established guidelines provided by the VA.

Results: The results of the project were an increase in clinic staff knowledge of PTSD symptoms and an increase in screening for PTSD.

Discussion: Identifying and effectively treating PTSD was paramount to mitigating adverse outcomes associated with this disorder among Veterans. Introducing a validated screening tool in non-VA primary care clinics held significant importance in ensuring comprehensive care for this vulnerable population. By improving screening processes and enhancing provider awareness, this project positively impacted the lives of Veteran patients by facilitating timely identification and intervention for PTSD.