Technology Use and Interest in Computerized Psychotherapy: A Survey of Veterans in Treatment for Substance Use Disorders.
BACKGROUND
This study examined interest in computerized psychotherapies (CPTs) and its relation to use of information technology among individuals receiving Veterans Health Administration (VHA) outpatient treatment.


METHODS
Veterans receiving treatment in a VHA substance use disorder outpatient clinic completed a self-report questionnaire. The survey addressed recent experience using information technology and potential interest in using CPTs for symptoms/functional problems associated with substance use and mental health disorders. Demographic, diagnostic, and information technology use data were compared between those expressing interest in CPT and those not expressing an interest, as well as with nationally representative veteran data from the 2010 National Survey of Veterans (NSV).


RESULTS
Of 151 respondents, 82% were interested in CPT for at least one problem, and 60% were interested for more than one. The most commonly selected CPTs were for substance use (46%), depression (45%), problem solving (43%), and insomnia (42%). None of the 23 measures of information technology use was associated with interest in CPTs. Compared with respondents not interested in any CPTs, those interested in CPT were older (t150=2.1, p=0.042) and more likely to be African American [χ(2)(1)=8.8, p=0.032], to have reported a drug use disorder [χ(2)(1)=4.2, p=0.041], and to have reported more than one substance use or psychiatric disorder [χ(2)(1)=8.5, p=0.014]. The majority of respondents reported use of Internet and e-mail (65% and 64%, respectively), proportions comparable to respondents to the NSV.


CONCLUSIONS
Among veterans receiving outpatient substance use treatment, interest in CPT is high and unrelated to information technology use. Efforts to implement CPTs may interest this population.
1 VA New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Connecticut Health Care System , West Haven, Connecticut.|2 Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine , New Haven, Connecticut.
Eric D A
ED
Hermes
1 VA New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Connecticut Health Care System , West Haven, Connecticut.|2 Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine , New Haven, Connecticut.
Jack
J
Tsai
1 VA New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Connecticut Health Care System , West Haven, Connecticut.|2 Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine , New Haven, Connecticut.|3 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale School of Medicine , New Haven, Connecticut.|4 Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine , New Haven, Connecticut.
Robert
R
Rosenheck
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003237:Connecticut; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D057566:Self Report; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014728:Veterans
Internet; computer-based therapy; health information technology; substance use disorders; veterans