Approximately 70% of individuals will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime, with only 6-7% developing PTSD. Genetic markers are identified that can increase the likelihood of developing PTSD after trauma. Translating psychiatric genetics findings to clinical care has been difficult. Polygenic factors appear to play a significant role in PTSD development. Tools for creating polygenic risk scores (PRS) are available, though not yet used in clinical care. PTSD is a complex condition involving genetic, environmental, social, emotional, and physical health components. Addressing PTSD effectively requires collaboration among many stakeholders to find treatment and prevention strategies that are culturally acceptable, medically possible, and able to be implemented on a wide scale. Understanding how stakeholders interpret PRS-related risks can inform communication and education efforts. Patient perspectives on researcher motivations are crucial, as these motivations have an impact on how patients evaluate the results of that research (Martschenko et al, 2023). This in turn could affect PRS uptake in clinical practice. This poster presents results of a qualitative, interview-based study examining hopes, needs, and concerns of three key stakeholder groups involved in PTSD exploration and treatment: military veterans/members with PTSD, clinicians treating them, and genetics researchers. Military veterans were chosen due to their high incidence and limited effective treatment options. Themes including decreasing stigma, antideterminism, and risks and benefits of PRS testing for PTSD will be explored.
