Across Israel today, thousands of people are living with the psychological consequences of trauma.
Survivors of the October 7 attacks, communities repeatedly exposed to rockets and security threats, soldiers returning from prolonged service, and children growing up amid fear and uncertainty, all face significant emotional challenges.
One of the most serious long-term consequences of trauma is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Approximately 320 million people worldwide live with PTSD.
PTSD is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, or after prolonged exposure to severe stress. It is the brain’s survival system remaining switched on after events have passed.
The challenge with treating PTSD:
PTSD treatment is complex and lengthy and demand is rising fast. Mental health services are overstretched worldwide. In Israel, thousands of trauma survivors are waiting for care, and Australia faces the same growing waitlist crisis.
Compounding the problem, current treatments do not work well enough for too many people.
Of those who start PTSD therapy, about 25% drop out and approximately 50% stay distressed after completing treatment.
IN RESPONSE TO THIS GLOBAL CHALLENGE AUSiMED IS SUPPORTING THE PTSD RECOVER PROJECT
The aim is to produce practical solutions that will allow PTSD treatment to be more effective, targeted, and efficient, with relevance for Australia, Israel, and beyond.
An international project team, led by Dr Adar Paz and Dr Tom Fruchtman from Clalit Health Service, Israel’s largest healthcare provider, are developing an innovative, clinician-led, machine learning (ML) supported tool called ADAPT (Adaptive Dynamic Algorithm for Personalized Therapy).
Dr Adar Paz
Dr Tom Fructman
The ADAPT tool will help therapists tailor care to individual PTSD patients to reduce drop-out rates, change the approach when treatment is not working and improve recovery outcomes.
Rapid translated into real-world clinical practice
Because Clalit operates at a national scale, once the tool is developed and validated, this innovation can be rapidly implemented, benefiting large numbers of patients.
