Self-help software could one day replace psychiatrists

It appears that researchers are developing self-help software for astronauts to one day carry along with them on space missions. The current situation calls for astronauts who are stressed to contact Earth, where they can chat with a NASA psychiatrist. However, this becomes impractical for missions to Mars and beyond, where transmission times alone could take upwards of 20 minutes. This would be where the multimedia self-help tool designed by James Carter of Harvard Medical School comes in. An interactive video component helps user negotiate and resolve conflicts, while a "problem solving therapy" module aids in listing concrete problems, as well as brainstorming for practical solutions. Now, if only similar solutions were adapted to solving IT problems; I know of more than one person who would benefit from them.

For more on this:
- check out this Network World article