Patients' experience of a planned admission program: implications for nursing practice and research

Various treatment modalities have been used with the population of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. Variations of day treatment programs, including partial day hospitalization and planned admission programs, are examples of alternatives to extended inpatient treatment. A Veterans Affairs Medical Center initiated a Planned Admission Program. Using qualitative methodology, the researcher interviewed six patients participating in the program to discover information about their experiences in the program. Major themes are identified and discussed, implications for nursing practice and research are articulated.