This article presents a theoretical and empirical overview of ergonomic and other Issues relating to Information technology use by a particular special needs group, that of psychiatric patients. The application of Information technology to assessment in computer-based testing and computer-mediated videotelephonic Interviewing is used to examine these issues. These are discussed in terms of hardware, software and user-interface considerations, and it is argued that the selection and design of systems must reflect the demands of the tasks used in assessment and also the characteristics of the psychiatric population.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AckerW (1983) A computerised approach to psychological screening — The Bexley-Maudsley Automated Psychological Screening and the Bexley-Maudsley Category Sorting Test. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 18, 361–69.
2.
BallCJScottNMcLarenPMWatsonJP (1993) Preliminary evaluation of a low-cost video-conferencing (LCVC) system for remote cognitive testing of adult psychiatric patients. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 32, 303–307.
3.
BeaumontJG (1982) System requirements for interactive testing. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 17, 311–20.
4.
BeaumontJG (1985) The effect of microcomputer presentation and response medium on digit span performance. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 22, 11–18.
5.
CruikshankPJ (1982) Patient stress and the computer in the consulting room. Social Science and Medicine, 16, 1371–76.
6.
DowrickPWBiggsSJ, eds (1983) Using video.Chichester: John Wiley.
7.
ElithornACooperRLennoxR (1979) Assessment of psychotropic drug effects. In: CrooksJStevensIH, eds. Drugs and the elderly.London: Macmillan.
8.
ErdmanHPKleinMHGreistJHSkareS (1992) A comparison of computer-administered versions of the NIMH Diagnostics Interview Schedule. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 26(1), 85–95.
9.
FordBVitelliR (1992) Inmate attitudes towards computerised clinical interventions. Computers in Human Behaviour, 8(2–3), 223–30.
10.
GeorgeCELankfordJSWilsonSE (1992) The effects of computerised versus pencil-and-paper administration on measures of negative affect. Computers in Human Behaviour, 8(2–3), 203–209.
11.
KobakKAReynoldsWMGreistJH (1993) Development and validation of a computer-administered version of the Hamilton Rating Scale. Psychological Assessment, 5(4), 487–92.
12.
MaruffPWoodSCurieJMcArthur-JacksonC (1994) Computer-administered visual analogue mood scales: Rapid and valid assessment of mood in HIV-positive individuals. Psychological Reports, 74(1), 39–42.
13.
MillerE (1968) A case for automated testing. Bulletin of the British Psychological Society, 21, 75–78.
14.
OgdenMKellettJMMerryfieldPMillardP (1984) Practical aspects of automated testing of the elderly. Bulletin of the British Psychological Society, 37, 148–49.
15.
RidgewayJMcCullochMJMillsHE (1982) Some experiences in administering a psychometric test with a light-pen and a computer. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 17, 265–78.
SpielbergerCDGorsuchRLLusheneRE (1970) Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory (self-evaluation questionnaire).Palo Alto, Ca.: Consulting Psychologists Press.
18.
SteerRARismillerDJRanieriWBeckAT (1994) Use of the computer administered Beck Depression Inventory and Hopelessness Scale with psychiatric inpatients. Computers in Human Behaviour, 10(2), 223–29.
19.
StewartT (1980) Communicating with dialogues. Ergonomics, 23, 909–20.
20.
TempleDEGeisingerKF (1990) Response latency to computer-administered inventory items as an indicator of emotional arousal. Journal of Personality Assessment, 54(1–2), 289–97.
21.
WatertonJJDuffyJC (1984) A comparison of computer interviewing techniques and traditional methods in the collection of self-report alcohol consumption in a field survey. Institutional Statistical Review, 52, 173–82.
22.
WatsonCGThomasDAndersonPE (1992) Do computer-administered MMPIs underestimate booklet-based scores?Journal of Clinical Psychology, 48(6), 744–48.
23.
WattsKBaddeleyAWilliamsM (1982) Automated and tailored testing using Raven's matrices and Mill Hill Vocabulary tests — A comparison with manual administration. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 17, 331–44.
24.
WeinmanJA (1982) Detailed computer analysis of performance on a single psychological test. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 17, 321–30.
25.
YoungRM (1981) The machine within the machine — Users' models of pocket calculators. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 15, 51–85.
