Veterans’ Perceptions of Behavioral Health Care in the Veterans Health Administration: A National Survey

• DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.201200385
• Publication Date: 2014-04-15T04:31:17Z
• Authors: Kimberly A. Hepner; Susan M. Paddock; Katherine E. Watkins; Jacob Solomon; Daniel M. Blonigen; Harold Alan Pincus
• Keywords: Veterans Affairs

This study provided national estimates of perceptions behavioral health care services among patients the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) with a diagnosis bipolar I disorder, major depression, posttraumatic stress schizophrenia, or substance use disorder.A stratified random sample 6,190 completed telephone interviews from November 2008 through August 2009. Patients (N=5,185) who reported receiving VHA in prior 12 months were asked about their need for housing and employment services, timeliness recovery orientation care, satisfaction perceived improvement.Half always routine appointments as soon requested, 42% highly satisfied mental care. Approximately 74% being helped by treatment they received, yet only 32% that symptoms had improved. After controlling covariates, analyses showed disorder lower to be less helpful compared without disorder.Although matched comparison data not available, results overall patient favorable, but there was significant room improvement across all areas assessment. A majority treatment, few symptom improvement. Variations different disorders suggest potential importance psychiatric diagnosis, particularly assessing