VA Connecticut Healthcare System

The Psychiatry Service of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System (VAHCS) is a major teaching, research, and clinical site of the Yale University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. Located within a general hospital, it sustains a wealth of clinical and academic opportunities. Its leadership in clinical research is reflected in its receiving more federal research grant support than any other Department of Veterans Affairs Psychiatry Service. VACHS faculty engage in research on psychopharmacology, genetics, brain imaging, and clinical outcomes among other pursuits. This standard of achievement enriches clinical and research training at every level.

The Psychiatry Service is organized into five diagnostic or treatment-modality-specific "Firms" that deliver state-of-the-art care and a Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC). This national center focuses on "dual diagnosis". Clients with substance abuse and major psychiatric disorders. This MIRECC includes opportunities for clinical research experiences ranging from large scale health services to clinical neuroimaging (PET, SPEC, MR), and human genetics.

The 5 firms are: PTSD-Anxiety, Neuropsychiatry, Substance Abuse, Community Care, and Urgent Care. The firms are multidisciplinary groups providing treatment to a defined group of patients. Psychiatric Residents and fellows participate in the clinical, administrative and academic endeavor of delivering care within the guiding structure of the Firms. The Psychiatry Primary Clinic provides primary medical care to patients on Psychiatry Service. Residents and fellows are encouraged to develop research training programs building on their experiences in clinical research settings.

The PTSD-Anxiety Firm houses the Clinical Neuroscience Division of the National Center for PTSD, the only facility of its type within the VA. The PTSD-Anxiety Firm provides opportunities to learn about obtaining trauma histories, recent psychopharmacologic advances in PTSD, and novel cognitive and behavioral treatment programs.

The Neuropsychiatry Firm houses the Schizophrenia Biological Research Center, one of three research centers supported by the DVA. The clinical research programs provide an educational foundation in neuropsychiatric, neurologic, psychopharmacologic, and rehabilitative approaches to schizophrenia, mood and personality disorders. The Firm also provides psychogeriatric consultation and community case management programs for elderly patients with psychiatric and medical problems.

The Substance Abuse Firm houses the VA-Yale Alcoholism Research Center, one of three research centers for alcoholism supported by the DVA, and the NIDA Medications Development Center. The Substance Abuse Firm provides training in outpatient drug detoxification, acute stabilization of dually diagnosed patients, cognitive-behavioral approaches to substance abuse, treatment of dually diagnosed patients, and pharmacologic supports for abstinence.

The Community Care Firm provides four novel treatment modalities to patients primarily treated by other Firms including: 1) a Partial Hospitalization Program, 2) the Community Support Program, which provides community case management to chronically ill patients, 3) VA Supported Housing for patients with chronic psychiatric illnesses and 4) Veterans Industries, a work rehabilitation program.

The Urgent Care Firm provides urgent psychiatric care to patients in the other diagnostic Firms. The Psychiatry ER and inpatient unit provides acute management and a wide diversity of clinical exposure for trainees. The Consultation Liaison Service provides consultation to all inpatient services and to the outpatient Primary Care Practice and Women's Health Clinic.

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