Canadian Armed Forces acquire new software to help predict mental health recovery

News Release

November 7, 2014

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) acquired new software to help improve mental health treatment for CAF members. Through the immediate and continuous tracking of progress, treatment will be more readily individually modified and optimized.

This technological advancement is one of a number of initiatives aimed at improving mental health services to Canadian Armed Forces members. These enhancements support clinical best practices, prioritize mental health treatment and improve research.

Quick Facts

The Client-Reported Outcome Monitoring Information System, or ‘CROMIS’ tablet-based software will be used in treatment starting this month in Ottawa.
At the beginning of each mental health session patients will describe their current state of health through an electronic questionnaire.
The information, once reviewed with the clinician and compared with expected treatment responses, allows for immediate confirmation or modification of treatment and the optimization of individualized care within the CAF.
The software may also be used to identify training needs amongst clinicians, while the data can be incorporated into research and novel therapies.
The acquisition of CROMIS is an important step in the implementation of the Surgeon General’s Mental Health Strategy, announced in the fall of 2013.
The software is expected to cost $580K in 2014/15, $280K in 2015/16, and $250K each year thereafter.

Quotes

“The health and welfare of our men and women in uniform is a priority of our Government. Leveraging technology is a key part of our efforts to support ill and injured CAF members and this software will help those in need receive the treatment they require.”
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, PC, QC, MP for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence

“By helping our clinicians optimize and our patients to engage in their treatment, this specialized tool will further enhance the care of CAF members. With our many other research collaborations, we also expect our analyses and findings from the use of CROMIS to benefit all Canadians suffering from mental illness.”
Brigadier General Jean-Robert Bernier, Surgeon General

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Contacts

Johanna Quinney
Press Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: (613) 996-2353
Toll-Free: 1 866 377-0811

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Date modified:: 2014-11-07

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Canadian Armed Forces acquire new software to help predict mental health recovery

News Release

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