The three phases of time-limited day-hospital treatment.

The course of treatment in a time-limited day-hospital setting can be usefully understood in terms of three phases. Close examination of the treatment goals, difficulties, benefits, and tasks for both patients and staff for each phase provides a greater understanding of the curative process. These observations are based upon clinical work in a Veteran Administration Day Hospital and are reinforced with clinical examples from that work. Identification of these phases of treatment can be put to practical use. Knowing in which phase a patient is working helps staff members focus their thinking. Such an awareness can also help staff members cope with "burnout" over the frustrations that come with a particular phase. Information about these phases has been valuable to patients and their families in helping them understand the course of their treatment.