What is it about?
The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) is the gold standard in diagnosing PTSD. This paper provides initial data on acceptability and feasibility of an online CAPS-5 training simulator that uses standardized virtual patients and a coach to teach learners proper administration.
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Why is it important?
Accurate diagnosis is essential for both clinicians and researchers. Reliable and valid administration of the CAPS-5 requires expert instruction and practice. Currently trainings are limited because there are few qualified trainers and the training itself is time intensive as clinicians require practice cases with individualized feedback to obtain competence. The online CAPS-5 training simulator is low-cost and scalable, making the CAPS-5 training widely available.
Perspectives
At the National Center for PTSD we are frequently asked where people can get CAPS-5 training. Until the development of the CAPS-5 simulator, we had to tell them that training was largely unavailable. Now we can encourage all qualified providers to take the CAPS-5 course. It's great for licensed providers, research labs, and graduate students all searching for ways to improve their PTSD diagnostic skills!
Jessica Hamblen
Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Acceptability and feasibility of the clinician-administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 training simulator., Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy, July 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/tra0001998.
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