As noted above, study data demonstrate a
Nevertheless, extensive out-of-VA services use
is unlikely to explain study findings, as this would
require both substantial out-of-system use and
increased rates of VA hospitalization among patients
treated in other systems. Only 19% of
veterans with schizophrenia receiving VA mental
health treatment report any outside health service
use, including outside general medical use.36 Also,
public health care systems outside of the VA have
strengths and weakness but do not appear to offer
significantly poorer care.37