General Hospital Health Research Articles

Partial care in mental health organizations: United States and each state, 1988.

Partial care is a relatively new and rapidly-growing form of mental health care consisting of a planned program of mental health treatment services generally provided in visits of 3 or more hours to groups of patients/clients. In 1970, only one-fourth of U.S. mental health organizations provided partial care services, and patient additions to partial care programs were 56 per 100,000 civilian population. By 1988, close to half of all mental health organizations provided partial care services, and the rate of additions was more than 5 times as high. However, large increases in the number or organizations providing partial care between 1984 and 1988 are due in part to changes in definitions that are elaborated on later in the report. In 1988, multiservice mental health organizations were the most numerous providers of partial care with 1,230 of 1,310 (94 percent) providing this program. This was followed by general hospital mental health services with 332 of 1,489 (22 percent) providing partial care and private psychiatric hospitals with 236 of 447 (53 percent) providing this program. Mental health organizations providing partial care were most numerous in populous States, particularly in California (with 187 mental health organizations providing partial care), New York (174 organizations), and Pennsylvania (131 organizations). There were 212,196 patients on the rolls of partial care programs of mental health organizations in the United States (including Territories) at the beginning of 1988, and 286,715 patients were added to these programs during the year. Multiservice mental health organizations were responsible for a majority of both patients on the rolls and patient additions during the year.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Day treatment for alcoholism in a general hospital psychiatric service.

In this paper a time limited, cost effective day treatment program for alcoholics, and characteristics of patients entering this treatment program, are described. The advantages of this day treatment program are discussed with special emphasis on its relationship with other community service agencies, with the community at large and, with a General Hospital Mental Health service, of which it is a part. The implications for planning cost effective treatment services for alcoholics are discussed.

A health care program for hospital staff

This paper illustrates the significance of one aspect of psychiatric consultation to questions of general hospital health care delivery. The contractual arrangements, implementation, and evaluation of a health care delivery program for nonprofessional hospital employees are presented. Changes in patients' perception of treatment were evaluated by random surveys of representative clinic and ward populations before and after this program was implemented. The program was evaluated by precourse-postcourse questionnaires completed anonymously by the hospital personnel group. The program was found to be successful in generating lists of major health care delivery problems and some possible solutions. The majority of personnel enjoyed and benefited from this program. A conceptual framework and implications of psychiatric consultation for problems of general health care delivery are discussed.