Reliability and validity of a Chinese computerized diagnostic instrument

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Accurate and efficient mental health diagnostics are crucial for effective treatment.
• Existing diagnostic tools may be time-consuming or lack portability.
• Development of culturally adapted diagnostic instruments is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the development and validation of the Adult Diagnostic Interview Schedule-Present (ADIS-P), a novel Chinese diagnostic instrument.
• To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, concurrent validity, and reliability of the ADIS-P.

Main Methods:

• The ADIS-P was developed using items adapted from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) and Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS).
• A trained clinician administered the ADIS-P using a portable computer for immediate diagnosis.
• The instrument was tested on 1,331 patients across six mental hospitals, with results compared against consensus diagnoses from senior clinicians.

Main Results:

• The ADIS-P demonstrated good concurrent validity, achieving an overall diagnostic accuracy of 83% against expert consensus.
• A weighted Kappa value of 0.60 indicated good agreement between ADIS-P diagnoses and the consensus diagnosis.
• Satisfactory 1-month test-retest reliability was observed, with a weighted Kappa of 0.55.

Conclusions:

• The ADIS-P is a convenient, reliable, and valid diagnostic instrument for mental health assessment in China.
• Its rapid administration and immediate diagnostic capability enhance clinical workflow.
• The study supports the ADIS-P's utility in large-scale psychiatric evaluations.