Deinstitutionalization and public policy.
Deinstitutionalization, originally hailed as a major advance in public policy towards mental illness, has recently become increasingly controversial. This paper reviews the implementation of this policy in the United States, providing a critical examination of some of the central issues and problems that are the focus of current debates. It concludes with a pessimistic assessment of the likelihood of substantial improvements occurring in the lot of the chronic mental patient in the contemporary United States.
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000639:trends; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D003688:Deinstitutionalization / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000639:trends; D006208:Halfway Houses / Q000639:trends; D006295:Health Resources / Q000639:trends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000639:trends; D011057:Politics; D011640:Public Policy; D014481:United States