A sex-expert system on the Internet: Fact or fantasy

Fifteen years ago we proposed that the diagnosis and treatment of sexual an d other problems could be delivered in a professional and expert manner usi ng personal computers. We programmed a sex-expert diagnostic and treatment system and tested it on several hundred individuals and couples in the labo ratory, as well as on a pre-Internet regional computer network. Although th e results of our studies were very encouraging, a lack of scientific intere st at the time prevented further research being undertaken. Recently, the g rowth of the Internet has lead to the development and use of a number of on line approaches to the delivery of psychotherapeutic services in general, a nd of some new approaches to sex therapy in particular. However, a number o f scientific and professional issues need to be investigated if the public health potential of the provision of online psychotherapy services is to be realized.