Improving PTSD assessments for better patient care
Official title: Patient-Centered Assessment of PTSD
Funded at Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys · NIH-11000225 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make PTSD assessments easier for veterans to understand and complete, so they can get better care and support for their condition.
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 start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I21HX003892-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11000225 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include veterans experiencing PTSD, particularly those who may struggle with health literacy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have PTSD or those who are not veterans may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the assessment process for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by integrating health literacy considerations into the evaluation materials used in healthcare settings. It aims to identify and address the challenges that patients, particularly veterans, face in understanding and completing PTSD assessments. By reducing the complexity and response burden of these assessments, the research seeks to improve the accuracy of PTSD diagnoses and the overall quality of care provided to affected individuals. The study will involve collaboration with veterans to ensure that their experiences and needs are central to the assessment process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate PTSD assessments and improved treatment outcomes for veterans and other affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing health literacy in clinical assessments can improve patient outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function
Researchers are studying how PTSD changes the brain’s control over thoughts and actions, and how this might affect Veterans’ daily lives and responses to treatment.
-
Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients
A study testing whether ketamine can help people with PTSD better relearn and forget fear when given in a guided treatment plan.
-
Treating PTSD and opioid use disorder in residential care with Written Exposure Therapy (WEST)
A short, patient-friendly plan to adapt a proven PTSD therapy for people with opioid use disorder in residential treatment and test its practicality and impact.
-
Dynamic PTSD-Related Cognitive Risk in Aging WTC Responders
This project follows World Trade Center responders as they age to understand how PTSD symptoms relate to changes in thinking skills over time.
-
Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.
-
Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Veterans with Social Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms
A clinical trial tests whether a flexible brain-behavior therapy helps veterans with social anxiety and PTSD symptoms feel better and engage more in daily life.
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.