[Computer-based diagnosis of functional and mental disorders in general practice]

The use of psychometric tests is increasing in Danish general practice. The instruments are usually paper-based, but a few electronic instruments are now available, including the electronic Common Mental Disorder Questionnaire (e-CMDQ). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the applicability of the e-CMDQ in daily clinical work, the validity of data obtained, indications for use and the GP-perceived benefit of test results.

Twenty GPs were invited to test the e-CMDQ during the period from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005. They received a fee for using the instrument, equivalent to that received for using other validated psychiatric rating scales.

Eleven GPs participated and included a total of 125 (average 11.4, range 2-36) patients during the test period. The average time spent on completing the e-CMDQ was 5.6 minutes. Data were almost complete with 4,499 out of 4,500 possible patient responses. The instrument was mainly used on suspicion of psychiatric morbidity, when problems had lasted for more than two weeks, when patients presented with multiple physical symptoms, and for test follow-up. The separate rating scales performed well: Cronbach's alpha 0.69-0.92 and Loevinger coefficients 0.30-0.91. The GPs considered the test results to be useful in 89 percent of the cases.

The use of the e-CMDQ was associated with low time consumption, high data quality, sufficient construct validity and high user satisfaction. The instrument was only partly implemented and therefore barriers amenable to change should be brought into focus.