FAQs

Calipso is a range of computer-based courses that help you to manage common mental health conditions more effectively.They were created by a team of university-based doctors involved in mental health training and patient management. Details on each interactive course can be found by selecting 'courses' from the main menu.

Who authors the course materials?

Course material is authored by Dr Chris Williams and Dr Sue Aubin with Dr Williams acting as the lead author. The Dementia CD-ROM content was written by Dr Stephen Curran who is a specialist in old age psychiatry. For further information on the authors click here

Have the courses been tested with users?

The multimedia training format has been tested by medical students and has been shown to be very effective at improving professional skills.Read more on the test results here

Who are Calipso courses ideal for?

A wide range of health and social care trainees and professionals value the training provided by Calipso CD-ROMs. To find out more on our user base or whether the courses are appropriate for you select 'courses' from the main menu.

Do you produce bespoke multimedia training materials?

The Calipso team and its development partners have extensive experience in producing medically-focused multimedia training packages for CD and web delivery. They have worked with a number of leading organisations to develop bespoke training systems.

What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that aims to
help people experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties. The
basis of CBT is that what people think affects how they feel emotionally and
also alters what they do. For more information click here.

How do the two types of training CD-ROM differ?

The assessment and mangement approach used is different. The clinical courses offer mental state examination training and offer guidance on types of treatment. They are more appropriate for medical students, trainee psychiatrists and GPs.

The CBT courses are ideal for busy healthcare professionals who need practical skills to assess patients in a short consultation. The CD-ROMs teach valuable CBT skills and offer self-help CBT materials which can be given out to patients.

Do I need prior mental health knowledge to use a training CD-ROM?

No, the courses do not assume prior knowledge and are ideal for student training. All medical terminology is linked to an extensive online glossary which provides clear explanations.

How long does a training course take to complete?

In total the training courses take around three to five hours to complete depending on prior knowledge. As the courses are well structured you can choose to study the entire course or a section at a time.

Is CBT an effective therapy?

Research shows that written and computer-based self-help materials which are CBT based can be effective in treating patients with depression and eating disorders. A published paper on this issue can be viewed here.

What are the benefits of using computer-based CBT in primary care?

As there is a shortage of CBT practitioners computer-based CBT systems allow primary carers to offer patients quicker access to CBT as the therapy is delivered by a PC at the primary care unit. This means that fewer patients may need to be referred to specialist services.

Calipso self-help CD-ROMs are supplied with an unlimited user licence so that you can offer the course to as many patients as you wish. They are easy to use and are supported with printable worksheets.

How do the self-help CD-ROMs work?

They deliver a series of one-hour therapy sessions which help the patient to understand the causes of their disorder and develop an individualised self-management plan.

Patients work through each session completing activities such as reading information on the condition, listening to soundtracks and watching videos from other patients completing the course and responding to questions about themselves.

Each patient registers on the course and is given a username so that their progress can be tracked. Responses to questions are stored for revision purposes.

The sessions are self-contained and can be worked through by the patient on their own with the healthcare worker reviewing their progress on a regular basis. Patients work through each session in sequence and are given homework tasks to complete between sessions.

What reading age are the self-help materials?

The course material is jargon-free and is appropriate for patients with a reading age of 11-14 years or above.

How long does the self-help treatment take?

The Overcoming Depression course contains 6 sessions. Patients should aim to complete a session once every two weeks and therefore it takes around 3 months to complete the course.

The Overcoming Bulimia course contains 8 sessions. Patients should aim to complete a session once every two weeks and therefore it takes around 4 months to complete the course.

How can I encourage patients to take-up the course?

Notes for healthcare workers are provided on the CD-ROM. These explain how to use the CD-ROM, how to offer the course to patients and how to motivate patients once they are on the course.

The CD-ROM is designed for use on a PC in a primary care unit. Healthcare workers should introduce patients to the CD-ROM and supply them with copies of the worksheets contained on the CD-ROM.

I am concerned about patient confidentiality, is the CD-ROM secure?

The CD-ROM uses a sophisticated database to store patient information. This information is fed back to the patient as they progress through the course. As patients set their own unique password, no other patient can access this information.

Can patients get information on Calipso self-help courses to pass on to their practitioners?

Yes, email info@media-innovations.ltd.uk and we can send you a Calipso pack with information for you and your practitioner.

I am a patient, do you know where I can find a CBT therapist?

If you are based in the UK, you should contact the British Association of Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) who hold a list of all registered CBT therapists. They may also have details of therapists based overseas. Contact Mr Howard Lomas on +44 (0)1254 875277or email membership@babcp.com

What type of PC do I need to use a Calipso CD-ROM?

The CD-ROMs can be used on a multimedia PC with a CD-ROM drive, sound card and speakers. They are compatible with systems running Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT and XP..

The course program does not install on your PC, instead it runs directly from the CD-ROM and so you need to have the CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive for it to operate correctly.

Are the CD-ROMs easy to use?

Yes, they have clear screens and obvious navigational buttons. Material is well-structured and users can find their way around the course very quickly. All CD-ROMs use the same style so once you have used one you will be able to use any.

Is support provided if I get stuck?

The CD-ROM is easy to install and instructions are given on the CD case. Further details on using the CD-ROM are provided on the CD-ROM as 'Notes for practitioner and patients' PDFs.

If you experience a problem installing or using a Calipso CD-ROM, please contact Support by email at support@media-innovations.ltd.uk

Can patients order Calipso self-help products direct?

Calipso self-help CD-ROMs can only be purchased by those involved in the management of patients. This is because we recommend a healthcare worker supports patients through the programme.

Once I've ordered, how long before my CD-ROM is delivered?

You should allow 7 working days for the CD-ROM to be produced. You can then choose from standard or express delivery services. The standard service is provided by Royal Mail and Parcel Force provide the express service.

A parcel sent by the standard service should arrive the following day in the UK, in 3-5 days to Western Europe, in 5-7 working days to North America and in 7-10 days to the Rest of the World.A parcel sent by express service takes 1-2 days to arrive in Western Europe and North America and 2-4 days to the Rest of the World.

Which type of user licence do I need?
Calipso CD-ROMs are supplied with either a single-user licence or a multi-user licence.

If you are buying a CD-ROM for your own private use at home you need a single-user licence.

If you are purchasing a CD-ROM for training within an organisation you need a multi-user licence.

I need to offer the training programs at a number of sites will I need multiple copies of the CD-ROM?

As each course runs directly from the CD-ROM you will need multiple copies of the CD-ROM to offer a course at several locations. Discounts are available if you purchase multiple copies click on the Calipso store button in the menu bar for more details.