Interactive Interpreter

Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5-TR (PC-PTSD-5)

The PC-PTSD-5 (Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5) is a 5-item yes/no screening questionnaire that identifies probable PTSD from symptoms in the past month, designed for primary care and general medical settings. A score of 3 or more Yes responses is the recommended threshold for a positive screen and a fuller diagnostic evaluation.

  • At intake in primary care, mental health, or integrated care settings
  • Annually for high-risk populations (e.g., veterans, first responders, survivors of violence)
  • Following known traumatic exposure or significant psychosocial events
  • As clinically indicated when PTSD symptoms or trauma histories emerge

For professional reference, research, and education only. Not for diagnosis or medical advice.

PC-PTSD-5 Score Interpreter

  • Enter a total score to see its range.

  • 5 items, each scored Yes=1/No=0. Higher scores indicate more PTSD symptom domains endorsed in the past month.

    Total score (Yes responses)Interpretation
    3+Positive screen≥3 Yes responses meets the recommended threshold for probable PTSD. A comprehensive clinical evaluation is indicated.
    0–2Negative screenFewer than 3 Yes responses. Screen is negative; clinician judgment should guide any further assessment based on the full clinical picture.

    Prins et al. (2016). Positive-screen threshold per original validation study.

The PC-PTSD-5 (Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5) is a 5-item yes/no screening questionnaire for probable PTSD, developed for primary care [1]. A score of 3 or more is the usual positive screen.

Why screen for PTSD in primary care?

PTSD is associated with increased health care use, medical morbidity, and tobacco and alcohol use, so screening for it has become increasingly common in primary care, especially in veteran health care [1]. The original PC-PTSD aligned with DSM-IV criteria, and the PC-PTSD-5 was revised to reflect the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD [1].

In a veteran primary care sample, the PC-PTSD-5 showed excellent diagnostic accuracy, and a cut score of 3 maximized sensitivity [1]. Its brevity suits rapid screening before a more comprehensive assessment such as the PCL-5.

What does the PC-PTSD-5 measure?

The PC-PTSD-5 assesses the presence of core PTSD symptoms experienced in the past month, including:

  • Intrusive memories or nightmares
  • Avoidance of trauma reminders
  • Negative thoughts or feelings related to the trauma
  • Hyperarousal or excessive startle response
  • Functional impact or emotional distress

Each item reflects clinically meaningful symptom domains closely aligned with DSM-5-TR criteria.

How do you give the PC-PTSD-5?

  • Designed for primary care and can be administered verbally or via self-report; in the development study, participants preferred administration by their primary care providers over other providers or self-report [1]
  • Functions as a first-step screener before administering the PCL-5
  • Should follow confirmation of a qualifying Criterion A trauma
  • May require clinician support for individuals with avoidance, dissociation, or difficulty recalling events
  • Works well in brief medical encounters, telehealth, and community health models

How do you score and interpret the PC-PTSD-5?

The PC-PTSD-5 yields a total score between 0–5, based on the number of “Yes” responses.

Recommended cutoff:

  • ≥3 indicates a positive screen for probable PTSD and the need for further diagnostic evaluation [1].

Interpretation notes:

  • A positive screen does not confirm PTSD; the PC-PTSD-5 is a triage tool.
  • Use in combination with a full PTSD assessment (e.g., PCL-5) or clinical interview.
  • A score of 1–2 may still represent trauma-related distress that warrants further discussion.
  • Screening should be contextualized with recent trauma exposure, functional impairment, cultural considerations, and comorbid conditions.
  • Avoid administering the tool during acute crisis states where responses may be transiently elevated.

Psychometric properties

  • Veteran primary care. In 398 veterans compared against a structured psychiatric interview (a modified MINI PTSD module), the area under the curve was 0.941. A cut score of 3 maximized sensitivity, 4 maximized efficiency and 5 maximized specificity [1].
  • Civilian primary care. In 198 adults in an integrated behavioural health service, the area under the curve was 0.933; in that sample a cutoff of 4 gave a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 85.2% [2].
  • Subgroups of veterans. In 519 veterans in VA primary care, sensitivity ranged from 81.25% to 100% and specificity from 80.54% to 88.31% across 10 demographic groups [3].

Limitations

  • Not diagnostic on its own
  • May under-identify individuals with avoidance or dissociative presentations
  • False positives may occur in the context of depression or substance use disorders, given symptom overlap with PTSD [3]
  • Limited detail on symptom severity or functional impairment
  • Must be interpreted alongside clinical judgment and complete trauma history

For individuals: This page is a clinical reference, not a diagnostic tool. If you have concerns about your own symptoms, bring this information to a qualified mental health professional.

Related

FAQ

  • How is the PC-PTSD-5 scored?

    Each of the 5 items is answered Yes (1) or No (0), yielding a total score of 0–5. The total simply counts the number of Yes responses. No weighting or subscale calculation is required.

  • What score is considered a positive screen on the PC-PTSD-5?

    A score of 3 or more (≥3) is the recommended threshold for a positive screen, indicating probable PTSD and the need for further diagnostic evaluation. In the original 2016 validation in a veteran primary care sample, a cut score of 3 maximized sensitivity. A 2022 civilian primary care study found that a cutoff of 4 maximized sensitivity in that population.

  • Is the PC-PTSD-5 self-report or clinician-administered?

    The PC-PTSD-5 is designed for flexible administration: it can be completed as a self-report form or administered verbally by a clinician or staff member. Both formats are appropriate in primary care and integrated care settings.

  • Can the PC-PTSD-5 diagnose PTSD?

    No. The PC-PTSD-5 is a triage screener, not a diagnostic tool. A positive screen indicates that a fuller evaluation is warranted — typically a structured clinical interview or a comprehensive measure such as the PCL-5. A trained clinician must make any PTSD diagnosis.

References

    1. 1.Prins A, Bovin MJ, Smolenski DJ, Marx BP, Kimerling R, Jenkins-Guarnieri MA, Kaloupek DG, Schnurr PP, Kaiser AP, Leyva YE, Tiet QQ. The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5): development and evaluation within a veteran primary care sample. J Gen Intern Med. 2016;31(10):1206-1211.
    2. 2.Williamson MLC, Stickley MM, Armstrong TW, Jackson K, Console K. Diagnostic accuracy of the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) within a civilian primary care sample. J Clin Psychol. 2022;78(11):2299-2308.
    3. 3.Tiet QQ, Tiet TN. Diagnostic accuracy of the Primary Care PTSD for DSM-5 Screen (PC-PTSD-5) in demographic and diagnostic subgroups of veterans. J Gen Intern Med. 2024;39(11):2017-2022.

    Developed by staff at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD; the PC-PTSD-5 is in the public domain and not copyrighted.

This library is an academic and clinical reference. A scale described here is not necessarily offered in HiBoop; each page says whether it is.

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