Primary Care PTSD Screen For DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5)

The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) is a 5-item screen designed to identify individuals with probable PTSD in primary care settings. The measure begins with an item which assesses lifetime exposure to traumatic events. If a respondent indicates that they have had any lifetime exposure to trauma, the respondent is instructed to respond to 5 additional yes/no questions about how that trauma exposure has affected them over the past month.

Because the PC-PTSD-5 was designed to identify respondents with probable PTSD, those screening positive require further assessment, preferably with a structured interview such as the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). 

This measure was developed by staff at VA’s National Center for PTSD and is in the public domain and not copyrighted. In accordance with the American Psychological Association’s ethical guidelines, this instrument is intended for use by qualified health professionals and researchers. Available on https://www.ptsd.va.gov

This questionnaire is provided for PsychU member’s screening and educational purposes only and is not to be used as a diagnostic tool.