Computerized self-assessment in psychiatric in-patients: acceptability, feasibility and influence of computer...

In recent years various approaches using computerized assessments and tests in psychiatry have been published. In our study, the acceptability and feasibility of computerized self-assessments and attitude to computers were examined in psychiatric in-patients, using an improved interactive schedule, the Interactive Self-Assessment Scale (ISAS), based on the Windows operating system. In general we found a good level of acceptability and feasibility of the computerized self-assessment. Our results confirm the influence of attitude to computers on acceptability, and indicate a lack of self-confidence in interacting with computers, accompanied by a less positive attitude to computers than reported by healthy subjects and psychiatric out-patients. Computerized self-assessment is suitable for psychiatric in-patients. Nevertheless, further research is necessary in order to improve attitude to computers and the patient-computer interaction.