Thomas A. Williams

Design considerations for an on-line computer system for automated psychiatric assessment

The computer-assisted multidisciplinary Psychiatric Assessment Unit at the Salt Lake City VA Hospital required a unique computer system. Design considerations and procedures for development of a Psychiatric Real-Time Information System for Management (PRISM) are outlined. This design is presented as an example for others considering implementing on-line systems. Advantages of the approach are discussed.

Real-time psychological assessment and evaluation of psychiatric patients

The utility of an on-line computer system for psychiatric patient evaluations is discussed. The on-line system implemented at the Psychiatric Service of the Salt Lake City VA Hospital is functionally described. Hardware and systems programming are specified.

Interventional relevance and retrofit programming: Concepts for the improvement of clinician acceptance of computer-generated assessment reports

A brief historical review of research on the use of computers in mental health service delivery is presented. The computer-assisted psychiatric assessment project (PAU) at the Salt Lake City VA Hospital is briefly described in the perspective of previous research. It is noted that the initial design for the PAU was deficient in the development of a computer generated reporting scheme which is totally acceptable to clinicians. Two conceptual innovations, interventionally relevant reporting and retrofit programming, are introduced. These are described as providing solutions to the problem of obtaining clinician acceptance of computer-generated assessment reports. Pilot research on the use of these concepts is presented.

Design for an on-line computerized system for MMPI interpretation

The development of an on-line MMPI interpretative program is outlined. Profiles interpreted by this program are first examined to determine whether a standard or locally known profile type fits. If so, an appropriate narrative report is printed. If there is no match with a known profile type, statements from several scale-by-scale interpretative sources are organized into a logical report. Methods have been developed to eliminate duplication and contradiction from different sources of information. Examples of output from this program are presented and advantages of the program are discussed.

Development of an on-line problem-oriented system for the evaluation of mental health treatment services

Current on-line assessment applications are limited to mimicking instruments designed for paper and pencil. The development of an instrument designed specifically for on-line technology is described. The instrument provides research data on treatment effectiveness, clinical information for treatment planning, and management information for resource allocation.

Computer Technology In Community Mental Health Centers: Current Status And Future Prospects

Previously reported surveys in community mental health suggest an increasing use of computer technology. This paper reports the results of a 1978 survey of the directors of 149 community mental health centers. These results indicate moderate current use of computers primarily in administrative areas. The directors are expressing a strong need to improve data processing. Measures of organizational readiness for change suggest that the centers are ready to increase this use of computers but do not possess the resources to do so. The relationships of organizational readiness for change variables current use and perceived need data processing are examined.