Hamilton anxiety rating scale interview guide: Joint interview and test-retest methods for interrater reliability

摘要: The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) is the most widely used semistructured assessment scale in treatment outcome studies of anxiety. Interrater reliability coefficients for HARS have been previously reported. However, differences way clinicians assess symptom severity may reduce reliability. A structured interview guide--The Interview Guide (HARS-IG)--was developed to standardize clinical probe questions and minimize interrater variance. Joint-interview test-retest methods were a group 30 inpatients. Intraclass coefficient calculations revealed improved agreement with HARS-IG versus HARS. findings this study demonstrate that more reliable instrument than it meets established standards assessment.