Free cookie consent management tool by TermsFeed
ISTSS Logo ISTSS Logo
 
Home > Clinical Resources > Trauma Treatment > International Practice Guidelines

International Practice Guidelines

Clinical Practice Guidelines for treatment of PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder have been developed in a number of countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

A recent review provides an excellent overview:

Hamblen JL, Norman SB, Sonis J, Phelps A, Bisson J, Nunes V, et al.  (2019). A Guide to Guidelines for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adults: An Update. Psychotherapy, 56, 359-373 

Abstract: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are used to support clinicians and patients in diagnostic and treatment decision-making. Along with patients’ preferences and values, and clinicians’ experience and judgment, practice guidelines are a critical component to ensure patients are getting the best care based on the most updated research findings. Most CPGs are based on systematic reviews of the treatment literature. Although most reviews are now restricted to randomized controlled trials, others may consider nonrandomized effectiveness trials. Despite a reliance on similar procedures and data, methodological decisions and the interpretation of the evidence by the guideline development panel can result in different recommendations. In this article, we will describe key methodological points for 5 recently released CPGs on the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in adults and highlight some of the differences in both the process and the subsequent recommendations.