Mental Health Scales - FAQs
General
1. On what devices does the Mental Health Scales app run?
The current version of the app (2.3) runs on any iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad (including Mini) capable of running iOS 9.0 or higher. The user interface automatically accommodates to the size and type of display.
Previous versions of the app supporting older devices may be available from the iOS App Store. To obtain these you must use the store app on your device to log into the App Store.
2. Are there any in-app purchases required to make the app more functional?
No. The app comes fully functional and updates are currently free. You can include an unlimited number of test subjects (people) in the app.
3. Does the app show any advertising?
No. There is no in app advertising.
4. How were the included scales and tests chosen?
The app was developed in close collaboration with Dr. Carol Peyser, a Board-certified adult psychiatrist with extensive research and clinical experience. Dr. Peyser selected the scales and tests to meet the real life needs of the mental health care professional. All scales and tests selected are in the public domain.
Security
See the security page for more details.
1. Is any data sent off the device or mined for any purpose?
No. All test results are completely private and in your control. You can email results from within the app or print them on an AirPrint enabled printer on the same Local Area Network as your device. Results that are exported to email or print never show the name of the person. See FAQ #4 below for additional details.
2. How is my data secured on my device?
Data security is a prime consideration. Data in the app is secured by Apple's hardware-level encryption on passcode-protected devices. We recommend turning off Simple Passcode to allow a more complex alphanumeric passcode. On Touch ID equipped devices you can use Touch ID to unlock the app as an alternative to supplying the passcode. Mental Health Scales is not yet capable of suing Face ID for the same purpose.
3. Can I safely give my device to a client to perform a self-reporting test?
Yes. The app has its own internal security features. An in-app password, which is backed up by a security question selected from a choice of three provides two additional security modes. Secure Mode prevents unauthorized launch of the app. Client mode allows the test subject to use the device for a self reporting scale without being able to access the data of others. When Client Mode is activated in the Settings screen navigation outside the test screens is disabled.
4. Can I securely export test results from the device?
Yes. You can email results to any address or print results to an AirPrint compatible printer on the same Local Area Network (LAN) as your device. An Alternate ID (chosen by you or automatically generated) is provided for anonymous test subject identification. The subject’s name never appears in any exported result.
iPhone
1. How do I add a person to my subject list?
Tap on the plus sign in the upper right of the screen. This brings up the person detail screen, where you can fill in the person’s identifying information. Tap “Save” when you are done.
2. I want to correct some personal information for one of the subjects. How do I do this?
In the list of subjects, tap on the information disclosure button to the right of the person’s name. This brings up the person detail screen, allowing you to alter any of the information there. Tap “Save” when you are done.
3. How do I remove a person from the list of subjects?
Tap on the “Delete” button in the navigation bar on the Subjects screen, then tap on the minus sign. A “Delete” button will appear next to the person’s name. Tap on it to remove all of the person’s data, including test results, from your device. When you are done deleting, tap on the “Done” button to leave edit mode. Alternately, you can swipe from right to left on the person’s name without tapping on the Delete button in the navigation bar to bring up the Delete button next to the name.
4. Is there any way to search my list of subjects (people) to find the person I am looking for?
Yes. The search field is hidden under the navigation bar until you need it. To access, just swipe down from the top of the Subjects list and start typing the name in the search bar. As you add characters to the Search field the list will be filtered down to those persons matching it.
5. How do I initiate a test?
Tap on the person’s name in the Subjects list (filtered or not). This brings up the list of rating scales and other tests. Tap on the name of a scale or test to initiate it. A test result will be created for the subject even if no questions are answered.
6. How do I navigate through a scale’s questions?
One question appears on the screen at a time. To move to the next question, tap on the “▶” button in the segmented control at the bottom of the screen, or swipe your finger from right to left across the screen. To move the to previous question tap on the “◀” button or swipe your finger from left to right. To move directly to the first or last screen, tap on the “▶▶” or “◀◀” buttons, or swipe across the screen with two fingers.
7. Does the test have to be completed all at once?
No. You can move around the questions or even leave the test at any time and return later to complete the test or correct an answer. If you go to the Summary screen for an incomplete test, the summary will contain a list of unanswered questions.
8. I have forgotten my password, and the answer to my security question, and I don’t have Touch ID enabled for the app. How can I retrieve my data?
Unfortunately, there is no way to access your data by any legitimate means. Note that passwords are case sensitive, while the answer to the security question is not.
9. How do I leave the questions screen when I am running the app in Client Mode?
Double tap with two fingers anywhere on the screen. When the security screen appears, enter your password. The “Back” button will then appear and the “Summary” button will be enabled. The tab bar at the bottom of the screen will reappear when you have returned to the test list.
10. Does the Clock Test work on the iPhone?
No. The iPhone screen is too small to comfortably do the clock test. It is iPad only.
11. How do get data off my iPhone or iPod Touch?
You can send any test result to any email address or print to any AirPrint compatible printer on the same Local Area Network (LAN) as your device. The app will automatically create and send and email for you if you tap on the Email icon on the summary screen, or will look for compatible printers if you tap on the Print icon. The subject of the email or printed page only contains the alternate client identifier for anonymity. The client name never appears on the exported summary.
12. Will Mental Health Scales work on the iPad?
Yes. The current version is optimized for the iPad. It automatically determines which type of device it is running on and behaves accordingly. The FAQ for iPad operation follows.
Return to Top
iPad
1. Does the app work in both “Portrait” and “Landscape” Orientations?
Yes. In Landscape Orientation the app uses a split view. The list of subjects, scales and other tests, and test histories appear in the left column of the screen. You navigate among the list of subjects, scales, and test histories using the navigation buttons at the top of the column. The actual scale questions and summary, or the drawing area for the Clock Test appear in the right column.
In Portrait Orientation the left column is represented by a button on the left end of the tool bar. Tap on the button to bring up a popover showing the contents of the left column as described above. The scale questions and summary, or the drawing area for the Clock Test occupy the entire screen.
2. How do I add a person to my subject list?
Tap on the plus sign in the upper right of the Subjects List. This brings up the person detail panel, where you can fill in the person’s identifying information. Tap “Save” when you are done.
3. I want to correct some personal information for one of the subjects. How do I do this?
In the list of subjects, tap on the information disclosure button to the right of the person’s name. This brings up the person detail panel, allowing you to alter any of the information there. Tap “Save” when you are done.
4. How do I remove a person from the list of subjects?
Tap on the “Delete” button in the navigation bar of the Subjects list, then tap on the minus sign. A “Delete” button will appear next to the person’s name. Tap on it to remove all of the person’s data, including test results, from your device. When you are done deleting, tap on the “Done” button to leave edit mode. Alternately, you can swipe from right to left on the person’s name without tapping on the Delete button in the navigation bar to bring up the Delete button next to the name.
5. Is there any way to search my list of subjects (people) to find the person I am looking for?
Yes. The search field is hidden under the navigation bar until you need it. To access, just swipe down from the top of the Subjects list and start typing the name in the search bar. As you add characters to the Search field the list will be filtered down to those persons matching it.
6. How do I initiate a test?
Tap on the person’s name in the Subjects List. This brings up the list of rating scales and other tests. Tap on the name of a test to initiate it. A test result will be created for the subject even if no questions are answered, or in the case of the Clock Test if no drawing is done.
7. How do I navigate through a scale’s questions?
One question appears on the screen at a time. To move to the next question, tap on the “▶” button in the segmented control at the bottom of the screen, or swipe your finger from right to left across the screen. To move the to previous question tap on the “◀” button or swipe your finger from left to right. To move directly to the first or last screen, tap on the “▶▶” or “◀◀” buttons, or swipe across the screen with two fingers.
8. Does the test have to be completed all at once?
No. You can move around the questions or even leave the test at any time and return later to complete the test or correct an answer. If you go to the Summary screen for an incomplete scale test, the summary will contain a list of unanswered questions.
NOTE: Client Mode is suspended for viewing test results. You can re-instigate it by double tapping on the screen with two fingers. This allows a client to safely and securely complete a partially done test.
9. How do I return to a scale after viewing the Summary screen?
If you swipe from right to left on the Summary screen you will be returned to the last question screen of the scale.
10. I have forgotten my password, and the answer to my security question, and I don’t have Touch ID enabled for the app. How can I retrieve my data from the app?
Unfortunately, there is no way to access your data by any legitimate means. Note that passwords are case sensitive, while the answer to the security question is not.
11. How do I regain full navigation control when I am running the app in Client Mode?
In Client Mode a Security Screen covers either the left hand column that lists the other scales or subjects in landscape orientation, or the popover that replaces it in portrait orientation. This means you cannot move to another test or view another subject’s data. Also, the Settings Icon in the toolbar is disabled, so that the application settings cannot be altered. To regain full access to the application you must enter the password or answer the security question in the Security Screen, or if Touch ID is enabled for the app on devices featuring Touch ID, using Touch ID. If the password is successfully entered or your fingerprint is successfully read, the Security Screen slides away from the left hand column in landscape orientation, or melts from the popover in portrait orientation, allowing the user to navigate to other areas of the application. Mental Health Scales does not yet support Face ID for dismissing the security screen..
12. Do I have to use a stylus for the Clock Test?
No. You can use a finger. Only one finger should touch the screen. No other finger or part of the hand should touch the screen.
13. How do I enter a score for the Clock Test?
You can access the scoring table at any time by swiping upwards on the screen with two fingers. This brings up the scoring table. Tap on the score (1 - 6) that bests describes the drawing. When you dismiss the scoring table the score will be recorded with the drawing.
14. How do get data off my iPad?
You can send any test result to any email address or print to any AirPrint compatible printer on the same Local Area Network (LAN) as your device. The app will automatically create and send an email for you if you tap on the Email icon, or will look for compatible printers if you tap on the Print icon on the summary screen for rating scales. For the Clock Test you tap on the Export icon at the bottom of the scoring table. This gives you a menu with two items, Email PDF and Print PDF. Clock Test results are exported as a PDF file attached to the email. The subject of the exported result contains only the alternate client identifier for anonymity. The client’s name never appears in the document.
15. Will Mental Health Scales work on the iPhone or iPod Touch?
Yes. The app automatically determines which type of device it is running on and behaves accordingly. (Due to the small screen size the clock test is not available on the iPhone or iPod Touch.) The FAQ for iPhone operation precedes this one.
Return to Top
