Easier-to-understand PTSD questionnaires for Veterans
Patient-Centered Assessment of PTSD
This project will make PTSD questionnaires shorter and written in clearer language so Veterans who struggle with medical forms can report their symptoms more easily.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247488 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, you'll be asked to try shorter, plain-language versions of the PTSD Checklist and give feedback on whether the questions make sense. The team will rewrite items to a lower reading level and remove confusing or redundant wording. They'll interview and test Veterans, including those with limited health literacy, to see how well the new version captures symptoms compared with the standard PCL-5. The aim is a questionnaire that is easier to complete while still reflecting your experience of PTSD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Veterans with PTSD or a history of trauma, especially those who find written healthcare materials hard to understand.
Not a fit: People without PTSD, those comfortable with the existing questionnaires, or non-Veterans are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Veterans could complete clearer and shorter PTSD questionnaires that improve communication with clinicians and help get appropriate care sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior work has shortened PTSD scales by statistics, but few studies have tested plain-language rewrites for comprehension, so this approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Palo Alto, United States
- Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys — Palo Alto, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kimerling, Rachel — Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
- Study coordinator: Kimerling, Rachel
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.