Reliability and acceptability of psychiatric diagnosis via telecommunication and audiovisual technology

Author(s): Reed, S., Kumar, R., Kling, M. A., Siegel, E., Rosen, M., Hauser, P.

Journal/Book: Psychiatr Services. 1998; 49: 1400 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Amer Psychiatric Association. 1086-1088.

Abstract: The reliability of psychiatric diagnoses made remotely by telecommunication was examined. Two trained interviewers each interviewed the same 30 psychiatric inpatients using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. Fifteen subjects had two in-person interviews, and 15 subjects had one in-person and one remote interview via telecommunication. Interrater reliability was calculated for the four most common diagnoses: major depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and alcohol dependence. For each diagnosis, interrater reliability (kappa statistic) was identical or almost identical for the patients who had two in-person interviews and those who had an in-person and a remote interview, suggesting that reliable psychiatric diagnoses can be made via telecommunication.

Note: Article Ruskin PE, Baltimore VA Med Ctr, Psychiat Serv 116A, 10 N Greene St, Baltimore,MD 21201 USA

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