DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF AN AUTOMATIC TREATMENT REFERRAL SYSTEM.

This paper reports on the development and validation of an automated referral system. While a complete answer to the question posed earlier requires a demonstration that treatment gains are maximized, the current study only considers the efficacy of an automated procedure relative to clinical staff assignment. In short, the hypothesis examined is that treatment assignment of inpatient alcoholics can be accomplished via automation without a loss of effectiveness and with greater efficiency, when compared to assignment by a clinical treatment team. Establishing the efficacy of an automated referral system is an initial step toward the maximization of treatment benefits and, consequently, is the focus of the discussion.