Inappropriate Use of StepOne Online

Summary

InCrisis anticipates that a very small number people will negligently, knowingly and intentionally misuse StepOne Online questionnaires and reports. InCrisis cannot prevent people from ignoring or disregarding their agreement or responsibility to use these services in an appropriate manner. Professionals cannot prevent people from misusing screening reports.

Anytime people are provided with information, guidance or tools, there is a risk that a few of these individuals will use these resources improperly. To mitigate this concern, consumers should be provided with information that reasonably describes the services offered as well the customer's rights, responsibilities and the risks involved. This article is intended to outline consumer responsibilities as well as to delineate misuse of InCrisis reports. There are four primary ways to misuse InCrisis reports.

Manipulate Answers to Create a Desired Result

InCrisis expects that a very small number of people will complete a questionnaire with the intention of creating or forcing a result that is beyond what InCrisis reports are designed to provide. In most cases this could be done by exaggerating the number and severity of problems. People who attempt to answer questionnaires in order to create a result will generate invalid profiles.

InCrisis is involved in an ongoing process of developing and programming improved validity indicators. At this time, reports are designed to be reviewed with a qualified professional. This collaboration is the only way to develop a valid diagnosis and make appropriate decisions. InCrisis reports attempt to qualify the primary observer and keeps track of the number of questions that must be answered. The current report does not identify intentional distortion or manipulation of the results.

Use of Reports without Obtaining Appropriate Consultation

Some customers will complete a questionnaire and choose to ignore the recommendations contained in their report. They might also make treatment and placement decisions without obtaining consultation as recommended. InCrisis reports are designed for information, education and consultation purposes. InCrisis requires the customer to read a "terms of use" statement and to respond to a series of questions designed to test their understanding.  Customers cannot simply agree to conditions without reading the term of use. They must pass a test.  Answering these questions correctly is a measure of understanding, assures informed consent and creates an obligation on the part of the user to seek consultation. Obtaining consultation is an important feature of InCrisis reports. With consultation, customers can have potential problems professionally evaluated.

Using Reports for Inappropriate Purposes

A small number of customers will attempt to use InCrisis reports as a means to avoid appropriate evaluation. StepOne reports are not designed or intended to be used as an evaluation nor do the results represent an expert opinion. StepOne reports provide information processing and guidance based on the preliminary results based on a screening. A screening process is not an evaluation. The purpose of a screening is to determine if there are potential problems for further evaluation and to provide guidance. The purpose of an evaluation is to determine if the problem exists, make a diagnosis and recommend specific treatment. Under no circumstances should customers use StepOne reports as an opinion or recommendation as part of any defense, prosecution or other litigation including civil actions, custody evaluations, criminal proceedings, parole or probation. StepOne reports should only be used to compliment and support professional evaluations and opinions.

Giving Results to Inappropriate People

A few customers will give copies of their reports to people such as friends, family or employers. Customers are cautioned and should avoid giving InCrisis reports to anyone they should not trust. The user is strongly advised to not give the result to their child without consultation and the recommendation of a qualified health care professional. They should not give the report to anyone, other than a qualified health care professional, who might give a copy to the child or reveal the results.

Dated: February 28, 2012