Application of computer technology to psychiatric outcome measurement offers the promise of coping with increasing demands for extensive patient interviews repeated longitudinally. Described is the development of a cost-effective multi-dimensional tracking device to monitor psychiatric functioning, building on a previous local computer interview system. This new instrument incorporates items covering: (1) demographics; (2) treatment during the previous week; (3) sections of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule covering depression, mania, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse; (4) social functioning, including negative social behaviors, leisure activities, social engagement, and social support; (5) instrumental functioning, including employment, self-care, and residential self-sufficiency. Follow-up interviews use computer branching to quickly cover all of the same areas. An interviewer conducts the interview at a terminal, and follow-ups may be conducted by telephone. Pilot study results indicate the feasibility of the procedure, which may be used to distinguish varying temporal patterns, predict relapse, and examine treatment effects longitudinally. (Author/PN)