Dissemination and implementation of prolonged exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder

•Evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for PTSD are greatly underutilized.•Prolonged exposure (PE) is an EBT that has been disseminated around the world.•Organizational and personal barriers present a challenge to EBT dissemination.•Top-down directives and strong infrastructure promote successful EBT implementation.•New technology in service delivery such as telehealth may increase access to EBTs.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent, often chronic and disabling psychiatric disorder that is associated with significant adverse health and life consequences. Although several evidence-based treatments (EBTs), including Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE), have been found effective and efficacious in reducing PTSD symptomology, the majority of individuals with this disorder receive treatments of unknown efficacy. Thus, it is imperative that EBTs such as PE be made available to PTSD sufferers through widespread dissemination and implementation. We will review some of the efforts to increase the availability of PE and the common barriers to successful dissemination and implementation. We also discuss novel dissemination strategies that are harnessing technology to overcome barriers to dissemination.