trauma-screening
Trauma Screening
Description
This skill helps administer and interpret validated PTSD and trauma screening instruments. The PC-PTSD-5 serves as a brief initial screener, while the PCL-5 provides comprehensive assessment of PTSD symptom severity aligned with DSM-5 criteria.
Clinical Context: These tools help identify probable PTSD, quantify symptom severity, track treatment response, and support clinical decision-making. They are support tools that supplement, not replace, comprehensive trauma-informed clinical evaluation.
⚠️ TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH REQUIRED: All trauma screening must follow trauma-informed principles. See references/trauma-informed-approach.md for essential guidance.
Quick Reference: Assessment Selection
| Assessment | Items | Time | Purpose | Cutoff | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC-PTSD-5 | 5 | 1-2 min | Brief screen | ≥3 | Primary care, triage, initial screening |
| PCL-5 | 20 | 5-10 min | Comprehensive assessment | ≥33 | After positive PC-PTSD-5, treatment monitoring |
Decision guide: Start with PC-PTSD-5 for quick screening. If score ≥3, administer full PCL-5. See references/screening-comparison.md for detailed guidance.