Computer-based mental health assessments. Panaceas, pariahs, or partners in research and practice?

Interest in computerized mental health assessments has been piqued by increasing demands to establish accurate psychiatric diagnoses in a time-efficient manner. Several such assessment instruments have been tested and the results are mixed. Computerized assessment of psychotic disorders appears most challenging; however, some advances have been made in effectively identifying alcohol abuse problems and nonpsychotic conditions. Issues that surround the use of computerized assessment instruments include: clinician accountability, client acceptance, diagnostic uncertainty, and reimbursement guidelines. Nurses must be aware of these issues to make informed decisions about how and when to use computerized assessment instruments in research and practice.