Computer-Based Practice: Future Dream or Current Technology?

Abstract

A growing number of new information Clinical Assessment System technologies are likely to have a pro found impact on the conduct of social An example of a computerized prac work practice. Until recently, computer tice system is the Clinical Assessment applications have received attention System (CAS) program, a microcompu primarily for administrative and reter-based evaluation tool that interac search purposes.1 Direct practice aptively enables workers and their clients plications have been addressed much to assess client problems and monitor less, although the microcomputer is treatment progress over time. CAS was receiving increasing attention to its designed specifically for the needs of varied potential roles in the conduct of social workers, psychiatrists, psycholo everyday practice.2 gists, family therapists, and other pro This momentum has not been withfessional counselors. The program is out controversy.3 The process of criuser-friendly and sufficiently flexible to tique and challenge is vital to maintainapply across a broad spectrum of clients ing internal checks and balances as and settings. CAS functions on many significant innovations are undertaken, personal computers with sufficient particularly when the rate of change is memory and was designed with the rapid and the consequences of poor computer novice in mind.5 Programs planning are great because lag between such as CAS enable clients, caregivers, advances in technology and the developpractitioners, and administrators with ment of substantive guiding principles virtually no computer training to bene is considerable.4 As with any body of infit from computer use in clinical terventions, what is needed for compractice, puter usage is a better understanding of