The impact of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) reorganization on psychology programs: A survey of VHA psychology leaders.

Because the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the nation's largest health care system and employer and trainer of psychologists, changes in VHA psychology have implications for the rest of the profession. A national survey of 127 VHA psychology leaders (91% response rate) documented that many psychologists now are managed by a psychiatrist, deliver more outpatient services, and do less personality testing. In the context of a 10% reduction in psychology staffing, morale is rated lower than 2 years earlier. Diversified professional roles are associated with higher status of psychology and management support for mental health programs. Psychologists need to understand and respond adaptively to the organizational and economic forces affecting their practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)