Development of a structured interview to accompany the minimal record

In conjunction with field trials of the Minimal Record of Disability in MS, a Structured Interview was developed. The purpose of this effort was to achieve some standardization in the methods used for gathering the information needed to rate the items on the MRD. Since the Impairment portion of the MRD is based on the neurological examination, a reasonably standard procedure, the focus of the SI was only on Incapacity and Environmental Status. Following a review of existing functional assessment instruments, questions were constructed to match the items on the ISS and ESS. These questions were piloted with a small group of patients and revised. The ISS was utilized in the field trials of the MRD in the U.S. and Canada. Based upon experience in that study extensive revisions were made in the SI. These revisions reflect new items added to the MRD, items retained but revised, clarification of wording in the interview, and simplification of the interview format.