The future of Veterans Administration Hospital programs for psychiatric patients.

In planning for the continued care of its large veteran population, the Veterans Administration is taking into account needs generated by trends such as a decreasing incidence of schizophrenia among veterans, an increasing use of outpatient services, and an increasing number of veterans suffering from alcoholism and substance abuse. The authors discuss the characteristics of the three types of VA medical centers that serve psychiatric patients: small general hospitals without a medical school affiliation; large general hospitals with a medical school affiliation; and large general hospitals with large psychiatric populations. One major goal of future planning is to institute psychiatric services at all of the 172 VA medical centers. Another goal is to ensure that each facility with a medical school affiliation will have a day hospital, a day treatment center, and a mental hygiene clinic.