The reliability of axis V of DSM-III

The authors studied the reliability of axis V of DSM-III by analyzing ratings of 97 psychiatric inpatients made by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians. The intraclass correlation coefficient for ratings of the overall sample was .49, lower than the figure found during the DSM-III field trials. The psychiatric diagnosis, age, ethnicity, marital status, and sex of the patient did not significantly influence reliability. The authors recommend more explicit instructions in the administration of the scale, the use of a standardized interview, and more training for raters as ways of increasing reliability.