Willingness to Seek Care Among Civilian Trauma Survivors With PTSD

The factors that drive willingness to seek care among civilian trauma survivors with PTSD are not well understood. Understanding these drivers is important to identify opportunities to optimize access to care and treatment outcomes, including the interplay of personal, social, and systemic factors. A cohort of 200 civilians with PTSD in the US completed a 30-minute online survey of 53-questions that included SF-36/SF-12 instruments to measure their emotional, physical, and mental well being. The National Stressful Events Survey PTSD Short Scale (NSESSS) was used to determine the severity of patient’s symptoms, along with a set of demographic questions. Linear regression was used to evaluate predictors of willingness to seek care on a scale of 0-4 when compared to the reference group. Over 95% of surveyed patients ‘agreed’ that personal symptom recognition was the key driver for seeking care. Interpersonal factors influenced behaviors, 72% and 49% of patients agreed that alleviation of burden on care partner and encouragement from family/friends respectively, were factors while 73% of patients ‘agreed’ their provider also influenced their behavior. Predictors associated with a higher willingness to seek care included use of digital solutions, use of telehealth, and absence of a change in job status (p < 0.05). Predictors of lower willingness to seek care included use of a day planner and change to a less appealing job (p < 0.05). Care-seeking behavior largely is driven by self-recognition of symptoms and interpersonal factors. Comfort with digital solutions and delivery platforms may predict greater willingness to seek care.