Acceptability of computerized self-report of alcohol habits: a patient perspective

The acceptability of computerized assessment of alcohol habits was explored in 57 consecutive out-patients over a 6-month period. Altogether, 46 men and 11 women agreed to complete a paper and pencil questionnaire exploring their opinion about computerized assessment. The study focused on the patients' acceptance of computerized testing and also on whether some sub-groups had reservations. The participants indicated that they had no general anxiety towards computers and did not mind being assessed by their use. Nearly half of the men were not convinced of the usefulness of computers as a means of asking about alcohol habits. The same level of confidence was recorded with regard to whether doctors would make better assessments using computers. Around one-quarter of both men and women were worried that computers might cause doctors to spend less time with the patients and that staff might lose the personal contact with patients. Because of the small sample size, we conclude tentatively that a computerized lifestyle test appears to be an acceptable method both to men and women with different educational backgrounds. However, two important issues need to be further addressed, namely concerns about confidentiality and loss of personal contact.