Needs of Female Patients in a Veterans Psychiatric Hospital

Citation:

Rothman, Gene H. 1984. "Needs of Female Patients in a Veterans Psychiatric Hospital." Social Work 29 (4): 380-385.

Author: Gene H. Rothman

Abstract:

The article elaborates a study, which examined the psychiatric and medical care of female veterans. This article presents findings of a survey of 69 female patients at a Veterans Administration (VA) psychiatric facility. The purpose of the study was to assess the satisfaction with present health and mental health services and the possible need for additional services for females. The study was conducted by a Task Force on the Status of Female Veterans at the facility under the auspices of the hospital director. At a later time, the VA national administration independently called attention to the "special needs and concerns of women veteran patients" in a "Professional Services Letter," which noted that because of the high proportion of male veterans, VA health care programs are typically oriented to male health needs. There are several reasons why female veterans are important to the field of social work at the present time. First, health care for veterans is a major component of the national health care system, and female veterans are an increasing proportion of such patients. Until 1967, law to 2 percent of enlisted strength limited female participation in the armed forces.

Keywords: female veterans, mental health, sexual assault

Topics: Combatants, Female Combatants, Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health, PTSD, Trauma, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Sexual Violence, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Regions: Americas, North America Countries: United States of America

Year: 1984