Primary Care PTSD Screen (PC-PTSD-5)
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The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) is a 5-item screening tool used to quickly identify individuals who may be experiencing symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Designed for primary care and general medical settings, it is also widely used in mental health clinics as a brief screener to determine if more comprehensive trauma assessment is needed.
Developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the PC-PTSD-5 is a direct, practical tool for identifying whether a client has trauma-related symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.
Recommended Frequency: At intake or annual screening; repeat if new trauma exposure or symptoms emerge
About the PC-PTSD-5
The PC-PTSD-5 begins with a single yes/no prompt confirming exposure to a traumatic event. If the client confirms trauma exposure, they then respond to five yes/no questions that screen for the core PTSD symptom clusters:
- Intrusive thoughts
- Avoidance
- Negative thoughts or feelings
- Hyperarousal (e.g., jumpiness, alertness)
- Guilt or blame
Each “Yes” response scores 1 point, for a maximum of 5 points.
Who is the PC-PTSD-5 For?
The PC-PTSD-5 is suitable for adults (18+) in:
- Primary care or integrated care settings
- Behavioral health intake where trauma is suspected
- Routine screenings in high-risk populations (e.g., veterans, survivors of violence, first responders)
- Any setting where a short trauma screener is more feasible than a full diagnostic measure like the PCL-5
Use this tool as a first step—not a diagnostic confirmation.
The Scale
Clients are first asked:
“Have you ever experienced any event that was so frightening, horrible, or upsetting that you had nightmares about it or thought about it when you did not want to?”
If Yes, they proceed to answer five yes/no items about symptoms experienced in the past month, such as:
“Have you felt numb or detached from people, activities, or your surroundings?”
“Have you tried hard not to think about the event or avoided situations that reminded you of it?”
Scoring the PC-PTSD-5
Each “Yes” = 1 point. Total scores range from 0 to 5.
0–1 Unlikely PTSD; monitor or assess further only if clinically indicated
2–3 Possible PTSD; recommend follow-up assessment (e.g., PCL-5)
4–5 High likelihood of PTSD; further diagnostic evaluation strongly recommended
HiBoop will flag scores ≥3 and recommend administration of a full PTSD assessment such as the PCL-5, as well as trauma-informed follow-up questions.
TIP FOR PRACTICE
This tool is meant to open a door, not define the client. A “Yes” response should lead to compassionate curiosity:
“Would you like to talk more about what might still be affecting you from that experience?”
Never use it to push disclosure—use it to guide timing and pace of deeper assessment.
The PC-PTSD-5 in Practice
The PC-PTSD-5 is widely used for:
- Routine trauma screening in medical and mental health settings
- Triage in high-volume clinics, where full PTSD assessments are not feasible up front
- Deciding when to offer referrals, diagnostic interviews, or trauma-informed treatment tracks
- Quick screening prior to military separation, legal evaluations, or surgical procedures
In HiBoop, PC-PTSD-5 scores can trigger trauma care pathways or follow-up assessments like the PCL-5, LEC-5, or clinical interviews.
Copyright
Developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD. The PC-PTSD-5 is in the public domain and freely available for clinical use.
References
- Prins, A., et al. (2016). The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5): Development and Evaluation Within a Veteran Primary Care Sample. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 31(10), 1206–1211.
- National Center for PTSD. (2015). Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5). http://www.ptsd.va.gov
Disclaimer
The PC-PTSD-5 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A positive screen requires clinical follow-up and alignment with full DSM-5 diagnostic criteria to confirm PTSD.
Permissions
The PC-PTSD-5 is in the public domain and may be freely used within HiBoop. Scoring guidance should be followed and attribution provided. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/screens/pc-ptsd.asp
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this be used for clients with complex trauma or CPTSD?
It can indicate risk, but it won’t capture complex trauma features like affect regulation, relational disturbances, or identity issues. Use tools like the ITQ or PCL-5 for deeper exploration.
What if a client says “Yes” to trauma but “No” to all symptom items?
They may have processed the trauma, or they may not feel safe discussing symptoms yet. Monitor and build trust before re-screening.
How long does it take to complete?
Less than 2 minutes.
Can it be used with teens?
It’s validated for adults. For adolescents, use age-appropriate trauma screeners such as the CPSS or UCLA PTSD Reaction Index.
Can the PC-PTSD-5 be used for diagnosis?
No. It indicates possible PTSD and should lead to further evaluation, not a diagnosis on its own.