FEASIBILITY OF COMPUTERIZED PSYCHOLOGICAL-TESTING WITH PSYCHIATRIC OUTPATIENTS

The feasibility of computerized psychological testing was investigated in a sample of 452 consecutive psychiatric outpatients. Forty-six per cent of the solicited patients agreed to participate in the computeriz ed assessment. Tested patients were significantly younger and better e ducated than those who refused. In general, patients reacted favorably to the computerized assessment. Education level, previous experience with computers, and attitude toward computers were related to successf ul patient-computer interaction. It is concluded that computerized ass essment is not feasible for all psychiatric outpatients and that a pre - (computer) assessment interview may be helpful in order to familiari ze older and less educated patients with the nature and functions of c omputerized psychological assessment.