Computer based treatment

            As is common for all human beings, there is the tendency of falling ill and seeking medical treatment. While most ailments can be cured using the various types of drugs developed to cure specific ailments, there are other types of ailments that cannot be cured with drugs. Patients suffering from depression, for example, require the intervention of an expert qualified in helping people deal with depression. Over the years, people have relied on face to face interactions with their therapists who guide them on the things they can do to deal with their depression. However, with the advancement of technology, the trend in curing depression is taking a turn to the side of internet or computer-based treatments (ICT). This has raised the question of whether ICT treatment is effective and if it should be considered a substitute of face to face interaction when treating depression.

            Compared to person to person therapy, ICT is just as effective when dealing with cases of depression. It incorporates the use of personal computers that are used to deliver a full treatment plan where patients rely on computer based treatment to help them deal with their depression. With the continuous advancement in technology, software that uses features such as animations, video and high graphics will be used to enhance the efficiency of ICT as a substitute to face to face treatment method (Gahm & Reger, 2009).

            Since there is no significant difference between patients who get clinical contact on a face to face level compared to those who do not get any form of clinical contact in their ICT treatments, it shows that ICT is just as effective as the traditional practices employed. Compared to having no therapy, ICT is highly effective and people who get help in the form of ICT therapy have a higher chance of recovering from depression compared to those who do not get any form of therapy (Gahm & Reger, 2009). Even though contact with a therapist is not really necessary when using ICT to help patients deal with depression, there are aspects that can only be implemented by a therapist. Therapists ensure that the patient is compliant with the treatment routine and are able to follow up on patients that have a likelihood of harming themselves to ensure that they get the help that they need.

            Computer aided therapy should therefore be considered as a form of therapy despite the lack of a therapist. Even in the absence of a therapist, the ICT ensures that patients have access to the psychological services they need. It also ensures that they are able to overcome barriers that may be caused by issues such as mental health issues, medical complications or physical disabilities. This is because the patients do not have to travel to their therapists’ offices but rather access the services through the ICT systems at their convenience (Gahm & Reger, 2009).

            The benefit of computer aided therapy is that it offers anonymity and is accessible through the interment. Patients are therefore able to get the help they need to deal the issues of depression without having to go to the therapist’s office. They not only remain anonymous but are also free of the stigma that is associated with going to see a therapist (Cuijpers et al, 2007). Another advantage is that ICT enables patients to get medical assistance at their convenience. People can access the materials as often as they want at any time or place provided there is a computer and internet connection.

            However, there is a disadvantage in that ICT has no control over how the patient participates in the treatment sessions. Since the patients decide when and how to access the ICT treatment, they may end up postponing sessions and thus not receive the appropriate help that they need. Another flaw is that ICT’s tend to be impersonal and this may result to the session taking longer than necessary (Cuijpers et al, 2007).

References

Cuijpers P, Keyzer J, Nyklicek I, Pop V, Riper H and Spek V, (2007) “Internet-based cognitive   behavior therapy for symptoms of depression and anxiety: A meta-analysis” Psychological Medicine

Gahm A and Reger A, (2009) “A meta-analysis of the effects of internet and computer based       cognitive behavioral treatments for anxiety” Journal of Clinical Psychology