@article{ref1,
title="Feasibility of a screening program for at-risk children following accidental injury",
journal="Journal of Traumatic Stress",
year="2015",
author="March, Sonja and Kenardy, Justin A. and Cobham, Vanessa E. and Nixon, Reginald D. V. and McDermott, Brett and De Young, Alexandra",
volume="28",
number="1",
pages="34-40",
abstract="Screening is recommended as a simple method for identifying those who should be monitored for risk following trauma. Effective methods for implementing large-scale screening programs are yet to be established. This study tested the feasibility and utility of a screening program with hospitalized youth exposed to injury in 3 Australian hospitals. Eligible families (N = 1,134) were contacted and 546 children (48.0%) screened for risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 1-2 weeks postinjury. There were 95 (17.4%) children whose screen result was at risk. A rescreening phase was introduced during the study, with 68 children completing the rescreen at 4-6 weeks postinjury, and 26 (38.2% of those rescreened) still at risk. Of those initially screened, 29 (5.3%) completed diagnostic assessments, 21 (3.8%) were diagnosed with partial or full PTSD, and 17 (3.1%) commenced treatment. Screening was successful at identifying and reaching children with PTSD, but the response rate was lower than expected, which limited the utility of the program. The addition of a rescreening phase demonstrated that not all at-risk children required intervention. These findings replicate previous studies that have shown natural remission in PTSD symptoms and highlight the potential for rescreening as part of a watchful waiting approach.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0894-9867",
doi="10.1002/jts.21981",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jts.21981"
}