Changing patterns of psychiatric inpatient care in a university general hospital

The authors describe the changing patterns of psychiatric inpatient care in a university hospital. Patients are shortening their hospital stay and are traveling fewer miles from their homes to the hospital. Increasing numbers of blacks, men, and low-income persons are being treated. In addition, the percentage of patients with neuroses and transient situational disturbances has decreased, while the percentage of those with personality and behavior disorders has increased. The authors discuss the implications of these changes, which benefit both patients and the education of students.