The Board of Directors of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) has developed the Frank W. Putnam Trauma Research Scholars Program in honor of Dr. Frank W. Putnam, who is being recognized for his contributions to the field of traumatic stress. Two Frank. W. Putnam Research Scholars are selected each year from ISTSS student members who submit research proposals and are selected based on their potential to make the biggest contribution to the field of traumatic stress. Each Scholar receives $1000 to support a proposed research project. Stephanie Wells, a fourth year student, is one of the two 2016 recipients of the Frank W. Putnam Trauma Research Scholars Award. The proposed research project will utilize data from Dr. Leslie Morland’s large federally funded randomized controlled trial comparing three delivery modalities for the delivery of prolonged exposure therapy (PE) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans. The larger trial compares in-home, in-person therapy, home-based videoconferencing and office-based videoconferencing to determine if PE is equally effective across these delivery modalities. Stephanie’s project will be a two part study that will first examine baseline data to examine veterans’ first choice treatment delivery modality preference (e.g., home-based care or office-based care) and then examine factors that may differentiate individuals who prefer home-based versus office based care. The second part of the study will utilize qualitative methods to better understand veterans’ treatment delivery modality preferences and experiences with these delivery modalities. Stephanie will receive the award and the research funds in Dallas in November of 2016 at the ISTSS Annual Meeting.
