ABSTRACT
This chapter describes an automation system which the authors piloted in an extended care services unit at a state inpatient psychiatric facility. Since the clinical practice of psychology or psychiatry requires a great deal of writing much of this work can and should be done on the word processor. The first step of the restructuring process led to two versions of the Psychiatric and Social Assessments, namely, an initial assessment and an annual update. It was felt that the focus is a bit different when a Psychiatric or Social assessment is done in an inpatient or outpatient unit for a first admission as opposed to subsequent annual updates. Clinical assessments lead to the development of treatment plans, which must be specific in terms of patient outcome and treatment methodology. State of the art computer technology is able to assist overburdened clinicians in minimizing duplicate paperwork tasks by using word processing systems.
