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Psychiatrists and a Computer as Interrogators of Patients with Alcohol-Related Illnesses: A Comparison

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

R. W. Lucas ,
P. J. Mullin ,
C. B. X. Luna  and
D. C. McInroy
R. W. Lucas
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Glasgow; Research Centre for Diagnostic Methodology, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow G51 4TF
P. J. Mullin
Affiliation:
Alcohol Clinic; and University of Glasgow
C. B. X. Luna
Affiliation:
(Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW), Division of Psychological Medicine, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow G51 4TF
D. C. McInroy
Affiliation:
(Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW), Division of Psychological Medicine, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow G51 4TF
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Summary

A computer-administered ‘interview’ was developed for eliciting evidence relating to alcohol problems. Thirty-six volunteer male patients on their first visits to a specialist alcohol clinic were interviewed three times, by two psychiatrists and by the computer; information was sought about 72 predefined indicants concerning alcohol consumption, drinking behaviour, and symptoms. Each patient was asked to complete an attitude questionnaire anonymously.

The extent of agreement between the evidence elicited by the computer and by the psychiatrists was quite high, and their estimated error rates were very similar, all between 10 per cent and 12 per cent in total. With respects to amounts of alcohol consumed, patients reported significantly greater amounts to the computer than they reported to the psychiatrists. The median amounts of pure ethanol consumed ranged from 1 · 19 kg per week calculated from reports made to one of the psychiatrists, up to 1 · 58 kg per week calculated from reports made to the computer. The results from the attitude questionnaire indicated a high level of acceptability to patients of computer interrogation.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 131 , Issue 2 , August 1977 , pp. 160 - 167
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists 1977 

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