[SCAN system--semi-structured interview based on diagnostic criteria].

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Clinical Psychology
• Diagnostic Systems Development

Context:

• Contemporary diagnostic systems are crucial for accurate mental health assessment.
• The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SCAN) represents a modern, semi-structured diagnostic interview.
• Advancements in diagnostic criteria and classification approaches are central to this field.

Purpose:

• To present the main features of contemporary diagnostic systems, focusing on the SCAN interview.
• To discuss the rationale for operationalized diagnostic criteria and a divisional approach to mental diagnoses.
• To introduce the structure and components of SCAN version 2.1 (WHO).

Summary:

• This paper details the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SCAN) diagnostic interview system, including its structure, components (Present State Examination, Item Group Checklist, Clinical History Schedule, Glossary of Definitions, I-Shell software), and training materials.
• It covers the operationalized diagnostic criteria, divisional approach to mental diagnoses, and rules for using diagnostic rating scales reliably.
• Evidence for SCAN's feasibility across different cultural settings, along with its reliability and validity data, is presented, suggesting broad applicability in research and clinical practice.

Impact:

• SCAN provides a detailed diagnostic approach for patients.
• The system is suitable for both research studies and everyday clinical practice.
• Its cross-cultural feasibility and robust reliability and validity data support its widespread adoption.