Understanding Rating Scales and Assessment Instruments

Abstract

The successful integration of screening tests and brief rating scales into clinical practice requires an adequate understanding of a few basic psychometric and statistical concepts. This chapter provides an overview of such concepts as reliability, validity, diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity to change. In addition we attempt to demonstrate how these concepts relate to clinical care. We believe that a solid understanding of these concepts will increase the utility and benefit patients and clinicians obtain through the integration of brief measurement tools into their practice.