) Greenberg et al. sought to investigate whether the community-based model coupled with the implementation of service-line delivery of mental healthcare to local veterans would improve upon its previous numbers. Mental health services at 139 Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) were studied over a 6-year period. Four areas of concern were measured: 1) the continuity of care veterans received for their mental health issues; 2) recidivism after discharge; 3) the community-based model as compared with the traditional inpatient hospital care model; and 4) the maintenance of proportionate funding being that the program is almost exclusively taxpayer-supported (Greenberg 1013). In other words, could a publicly-funded entity adequately take care of its patients' mental health issues just as well or even better than private, commercialized healthcare facilities?

Chapko et al.'s study found that the community-based models fared better at responding to geographically-specific areas and its veterans, producing more personalized care and thus facilitating the ability to respond to individualized cases. These community-based models could be run by the VA using local staff or even contracted with outside local healthcare providers, thereby producing the desired outcome of individualized, patient-specific care, shorter wait times, and a bona fide doctor/patient relationship (556).

Going even further, based on their findings, Chapko et al. made several suggestions: the community-based model...

The convenience would afford timely medical intervention, shortening the previously notoriously long wait times, plus eliminate the need for long travel times for veterans to travel to the healthcare facility. Pre-admission work followed up by post-discharge care would ensure individual medical healthcare goals were achieved. Providing care in a clinic setting rather than a hospital would reduce costs (ultimately to the taxpayers). Existing patients could also be seen by home health aides if possible to further facilitate expedient and cost-efficient care. Finally, the above actions would shift the focus from reaction to proaction, thereby emphasizing prevention and mental healthcare education as juxtaposed to treating purely episodical situations (556).
Works Cited

Chapko, Michael K., Steven J. Borowsky, John C. Fortney, Ashley N. Hedeen, Marsha Hoegle, Matthew L. Maciejewski, and Carol VanDeusen Lukas. "Evaluation of the Department of Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinics." Medical Care, Vol. 40, No. 7 (July 2002) pp. 555-60. Print.

Greenberg, Greg A., Robert A. Rosenheck, and Martin P. Charns. "From Profession-based Leadership to Service Line Management in the Veteran's Health Administration: Impact on Mental Health." Medical Care, Vol. 41, No. 9 (Sept. 2003), pp. 1013-23. Print.

Oliver, Adam. "The Veteran's Health Administration:…