Federal Drive

Review says DoD not doing enough to treat war fighters’ PTSD

An outside review panel has two disturbing conclusions about the Defense Department's handling of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Federal News Network Staff

July 16, 2012 8:57 am

< a min read

An outside review panel has two disturbing conclusions about the Defense Department’s handling of post-traumatic stress disorder.

First, not nearly enough of eligible war fighters are receiving treatment. And second, DOD doesn’t have enough information to know whether the treatment it does deliver is effective.

Marine Corps Times reported the review was conducted by the Institute of Medicine. It found fewer than half of all service members and veterans who screen positive for PTSD, even receive referrals for care. The Institute said follow-up procedures don’t give up enough information to tell whether those who received treatment actually got well.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily DoD Report. For more defense news, click here.