Clinical psychology

• What is necessary for a diagnosis to be useful?

  It must accurately reflect patient symptoms
• Why is accurate measurement of symptoms important?

  To ensure effective treatment planning
• What are the different types of validity in classification systems?


  • External validity
  • Concurrent validity
  • Predictive validity
  • Ecological validity
  • Internal validity
• What does external validity refer to?

  Using data from other research for comparison
• What is concurrent validity?

  Similar results as other research at the same time
• What does predictive validity indicate?

  Ability to predict future outcomes for patients
• What is ecological validity?

  Extent to which results predict future outcomes
• What should diagnoses of specific disorders have in common?

  Same symptoms as others with the disorder
• What does internal validity assess?

  Whether diagnosis is due to listed symptoms
• What is required for a classification system to be valid?

  Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment
• What does predictive validity allow for in mental health diagnosis?

  Accurate predictions about disorder progression
• What does concurrent validity ensure?

  Same diagnosis for same symptoms at the same time
• How must symptoms of a disorder be for a classification system to be valid?

  Operationalized and measurable
• What can bias in diagnosis lead to?

  Low validity in classification systems
• What must classification systems measure?

  Symptoms of a disorder without external influences
• What did Andrews et al (199) find regarding DSMV and ICD?

  68% overall agreement indicating concurrent validity
• Why do overlapping symptoms affect classification systems?

  They make operationalizing symptoms difficult
• What are the impacts of high validity in classification systems?

  • Accurate diagnosis of disorders
  • Effective treatment planning
  • Improved patient outcomes
• What are the impacts of low validity in classification systems?

  • Misdiagnosis of disorders
  • Ineffective treatment plans
  • Poor patient outcomes
• What is necessary for reliability in classification systems?

  Consistent diagnosis across different patients
• What does external reliability assess?

  Variation in diagnosis each time tested
• What is test-retest reliability?

  Proportion of same diagnosis upon reassessment
• What does inter-rater reliability measure?

  Same diagnosis by different psychiatrists
• What does internal reliability refer to?

  Consistency of a classification system over time
• What are the types of exam questions regarding reliability?

  • Assess the reliability of classification systems (8 marks)
  • Assess the reliability of classification systems (20 marks)
• How do structured formats affect reliability?

  They standardize diagnosis across psychiatrists
• What can lead to different diagnoses by psychiatrists?

  Differing interpretations of patient symptoms
• How does reliability vary among disorders?

  More consistent for some, less for others
• How does the publication of new versions affect reliability?

  Consistency changes with added or removed symptoms
• What is required for reliable diagnoses among psychiatrists?

  Same diagnosis for the same patients
• What are the impacts of high reliability in classification systems?

  • Consistent diagnoses across patients
  • Effective treatment plans
  • Improved patient trust in the system
• What are the impacts of low reliability in classification systems?

  • Inconsistent diagnoses
  • Ineffective treatment plans
  • Decreased patient trust in the system