The microcomputer as an agent of intervention with psychiatric patients: preliminary studies

摘要

Three studies are reported which explore the usefulness of microcomputers with chronic psychiatric patients. In the first study, computer games were made available to patients and one half showed an active interest. The second study showed a neutral relationship between patients' social communication skills and their involvement with computer games. Thus, some patients who are socially intractable may be reachable with computers. The third study compared the computer and clinicians as trainers in the administration of an information-handling practice task. The performance of computer-trained patients equalled or exceeded that of the clinician-trained patients and showed better generalization of cognitive skill improvement. It is argued the computer can be used effectively to automate many tasks normally undertaken by clinicians and that the computer may have special advantages over the clinician for some purposes.