Performance of two forms of a computer psychiatric screening interview: version I of the DISSI

J Psychiatr Res. 1991;25(3):117-29. doi: 10.1016/0022-3956(91)90005-u.

Abstract

This study reports on the performance of two forms of version I of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) computer screening interview, using the traditional interviewer-administered DIS (T-DIS) as the standard. The screening interview was either self-administered (called the S-DISSI) with the subject keying in responses, or interviewer-administered (I-DISSI), with the interviewer keying in the subject's responses. Sensitivity and specificity for both forms were ample (excluding antisocial personality), ranging from 60% to 100% for sensitivity and 54% to 95% for specificity. Concordances with the T-DIS were similar for both forms of the screening interview, ranging from .10 to .87 and compared favorably to those reported by other investigators. The I-DISSI took on average 30 min less than either the T-DIS and S-DISSI. Since the performances of both versions were equivalent, the decision to use either may be based on available resources and characteristics of the study population.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Attitude to Computers
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological*
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Microcomputers*
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality Assessment*
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics