Family Practice Vol. 13, No. 2, 120-126
© Oxford University Press 1996
research-article |
Computerized assessment of common mental disorders in primary care: effect on clinical outcome
Institute of Psychiatry De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
*Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol Canynge Hall, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2PR, UK
**Department of General Practice, UMDS of Guys' and St Thomas' Hospitals 80 Kennington Road, London SE11 6SP, UK
Hairmyres Hospital East Kilbride, Glasgow G75 8RG, UK
Correspondence to Professor G Lewis, Division of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XN, UK. E-mail: wpcghl{at}cardiff.ac.uk
OBJECTIVE: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the clinical effectiveness of providing general practitioners (GPs) with the results of a self-administered computerized assessment of common mental disorders.
METHOD: Attenders at a general practice in a deprived inner city area of South London were identified using case finding questionnaires. Six hundred and eighty-one subjects were randomly allocated to three groups which differed in the information provided to the GP: 1) no additional information was given to the GP; 2) the results of the 12 item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were given to the GP (the GHQ is a paper and pencil questionnaire that assesses common mental disorders); 3) the results of a self-administered computerized assessment (PROQSY) of common mental disorders were provided for the GP.
RESULTS: Clinical outcome was assessed using the 12-item GHQ. Consultations with the GP, prescriptions and referrals within and outside the practice were also recorded. The group in whom the GP received the results of the computerized assessment showed a modest clinical improvement, relative to the other two groups after 6 weeks. There was no difference in clinical outcome between the groups at 6 months. There appeared to be no increase in consultations or prescriptions in the computerized assessment group.
CONCLUSIONS: Self-administered computerized assessments for psychiatric disorder have potential as a means of improving the clinical outcome of patients in primary care. It is likely that the effectiveness of the approach would be greatly increased by linking the results of computerized assessments to clinical practice guidelines, tailored to the individual patient by means of computerized technology.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S. Gilbody DPhil, T. Sheldon DSc, and A. House DM Screening and case-finding instruments for depression: a meta-analysis Can. Med. Assoc. J., April 8, 2008; 178(8): 997 - 1003. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. S. Holcomb and J. L. Punch Multimedia hearing handicap inventory: reliability and clinical utility. Am J Audiol, June 1, 2006; 15(1): 3 - 13. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. X. Garg, N. K. J. Adhikari, H. McDonald, M. P. Rosas-Arellano, P. J. Devereaux, J. Beyene, J. Sam, and R. B. Haynes Effects of Computerized Clinical Decision Support Systems on Practitioner Performance and Patient Outcomes: A Systematic Review JAMA, March 9, 2005; 293(10): 1223 - 1238. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. C. Coyne, S. C. Palmer, and P. A. Sullivan Screening for Depression in Adults Ann Intern Med, May 6, 2003; 138(9): 767 - 767. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Pignone, B. Gaynes, K. Lohr, J. Rushton, and C. Mulrow Screening for Depression in Adults Ann Intern Med, May 6, 2003; 138(9): 767 - 768. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S M Gilbody, P M Whitty, J M Grimshaw, and R E Thomas Improving the detection and management of depression in primary care Qual. Saf. Health Care, April 1, 2003; 12(2): 149 - 155. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. P. Pignone, B. N. Gaynes, J. L. Rushton, C. M. Burchell, C. T. Orleans, C. D. Mulrow, and K. N. Lohr Screening for Depression in Adults: A Summary of the Evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Ann Intern Med, May 21, 2002; 136(10): 765 - 776. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. M Gilbody, A. O House, and T. A Sheldon Routinely administered questionnaires for depression and anxiety: systematic review BMJ, February 17, 2001; 322(7283): 406 - 409. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Kroenke, A. Taylor-Vaisey, A. J. Dietrich, and T. E. Oxman Interventions to Improve Provider Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders in Primary Care: A Critical Review of the Literature Psychosomatics, February 1, 2000; 41(1): 39 - 52. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. Velikova, E. P. Wright, A. B. Smith, A. Cull, A. Gould, D. Forman, T. Perren, M. Stead, J. Brown, and P. J. Selby Automated Collection of Quality-of-Life Data: A Comparison of Paper and Computer Touch-Screen Questionnaires J. Clin. Oncol., March 1, 1999; 17(3): 998 - 998. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|