Computer-based and live interviews on problem drinking: users' attitudes
Farzanfar, R.; Migneault, J.; Rubin, A.; Friedman, R.; Marks, L.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics 107(Pt 2): 956-959
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0926-9630 PMID: 15360954 Document Number: 569913
Some studies of computerized interviews particularly those that deal with personally sensitive topics demonstrate that people have a preference for automated interviews versus live interviews. To explore this phenomenon, we administered four open-ended questions after participants were screened for problem drinking by both an automated and a human telephone interviewer. Both interviews administered AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) for assessing problem drinking. Individuals were recruited into the study who responded to ads in daily papers. Sixty-two percent of the participants preferred the human interviewer and only 3% among these expressed a concern about confidentiality of the interview. Among the 22% who preferred the automated interview, 32% indicated confidentiality as a reason for their preference.