Computer interviews for depression management
Greist, J.H.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 59(Suppl): 20-24; Discussion 40-42
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0160-6689 PMID: 9796862 Document Number: 495692
Depression is underrecognized, underdiagnosed, and undertreated, with resultant increases in unnecessary suffering, morbidity, and mortality. A decade of admonitions to practitioners to improve our practices has made little impact on these recognized deficiencies. Screening, diagnosis and monitoring for depression, education about depression, and even self-help treatments for depression can all be improved by using direct patient-computer interviews. Computer interviews gather information from patients and give information to them, complementing, supplementing, and reinforcing clinician functioning. Available computer programs can help us reduce the gap between what is possible and what is practiced-a laudable goal.