How to choose among the riches: Selecting a diagnostic instrument

Abstract

A variety of standardized interviews are now available that allow making specific psychiatric diagnoses according to one or more of the official diagnostic nomenclatures. The number of interviews to choose among is likely to continue to grow. It is not always obvious which instrument would be best for a particular study. This paper offers criteria that should be considered, both in judging the appropriateness of an instrument for the special needs of a particular study and, when more than one would serve, making a choice based on more general criteria.