Background
Over the past two decades, a number of researchers currently at Dartmouth Medical School (Departments of Psychiatry and Community and Family Medicine) and Dartmouth College (Department of Psychology) have been at the forefront of efforts to better understand and treat post-traumatic disorders. Dartmouth investigators have worked to develop reliable efficient methods for assessment; to delineate the epidemiology of traumatic disorders (including cross-cultural studies); and to develop and test empirically supported treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These senior investigators include: Matthew J. Friedman, Paula P. Schnurr, Fran H. Norris, Kim T. Mueser, George L. Wolford, Gregory J. McHugo and Stanley D. Rosenberg. More recently, they have begun collaboration with additional Dartmouth Medical School faculty (Thomas E. Oxman and Allen J. Dietrich) whose research involves changing systems of care to implement evidence-based practices for under-diagnosed and inadequately treated disorders, including common psychiatric disorders.
In 2004, these clinical researchers decided to formalize their relationship by founding a trauma interventions research center. The DTIRC)uses multidisciplinary expertise to conduct an integrated program of research, education, dissemination and training for trauma researchers and providers. Utilizing a public health perspective, the goal of DTIRC is to translate evidence-based practices into a range of trauma-related interventions for under-served populations. A primary objective is to increase the availability and effectiveness of evidence-based mental health care for currently un-served or under-served trauma survivors across multiple healthcare settings. This objective necessitates better understanding of practice patterns and usual care of clients with trauma-related difficulties; and identification and use of factors associated with optimal outcomes in post-traumatic interventions.