The author compared data on 2,020 cases treated by private psychiatrists
with those on 2,052 cases treated by clinic psychiatrists in California. He
also compared data on private treatment in California with those from a
national survey of private psychiatrists. Private psychiatrists in
California treated as many psychotic patients and used relatively brief
psychotherapy about as often as clinic psychiatrists and were more likely
to use hospitalization and to see patients individually. In comparison with
the national sample, private psychiatrists in California treated more
children and patients with situational disturbances and were more likely to
receive payment from government sources.Abstract Teaser