New perspectives in psychiatry in the Veterans Administration.
In 1972, the mental health services in the Veterans Administration were reorganized in a manner designed to increase the probability of interdisciplinary collaboration. VA hospitals were urged to form multidisciplinary mental health committees to advise on local programs and practices. This "corporate" approach has led to significant changes in the use of staff and in the physical and psychological environment in some hospitals. While it is too early to evaluate the full impact of the changes on patient care, waiting lists have been reduced and length of hospital stay has decreased.
D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011367:Professional Staff Committees; D011570:Psychiatry; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology