The long term objectives of this project are to develop a complement of time saving and cost effect microcomputer based systems for the Voice-generation of records and reports by case managers serving persons with severe mental illness across the country. These systems will include case management Voice software, helpscreens, training and supports, all tailored to fit the realities of the case management workplace, and a program for the continued development of the knowledge bases upon which the voice driven case management applications are built over the long term. The specific aims are: to rate prospective applications of the Voice-transcription technology in mental health case management in terms of time, cost saving and quality assurance potential; to analyze knowledge bases that exist and with which Voice case management applications might be integrated; to develop design specifications, work plans and procedures for the development of each application; to resolve practical and technological issues involved in operationalizing the Voice technology in the case management workplace by developing and testing selected applications; and to evaluate the advantages of and limitations of existing Voicetranscription systems for purposes of mental health case management.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:Case management programs around the country are expected to purchase the resulting Voice-generated records and reports system in order to relieve case managers of the drudgery and unproductive time spent in documentation activities. Legislators and mental health system administrators are expected to authorize these purchases in view of the significant savings possible through reduced time spent by case managers and clerical staff on documentation activities and in view of the capacity of voice prompts to reduce the risk of incomplete documentation and associated loss of Title XIX funding.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
