PILOT-STUDY OF THE ADJUNCT UTILITY OF A COMPUTER-ASSISTED DIAGNOSTIC INTERVIEW SCHEDULE (C-DIS) IN FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS

To assess the potential usefulness of a structured and computer-assist ed diagnostic interview under field conditions, menu-driven interviews with 18 of 20 probands undergoing forensic psychiatric examination we re scored into axis I DSM-III diagnoses, independent of the regularly derived ICD-9 diagnoses. The computer-assisted interview yielded more affective and anxiety disorders than routine clinical procedures, many of which were amenable to treatment. The computer interview was accep table to the probands. Controlled studies are suggested to assess the benefits of computer-assisted diagnosis in addition to traditional dia gnostic procedures in forensic psychiatric patients.