Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9261
Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.
Publication type: Journal Article
Engelhardt N, Feiger AD, Cogger KO, Sikich D, DeBrota DJ, Lipsitz JD, Kobak KA, Evans KR, Potter WZ.
Rating the raters: assessing the quality of Hamilton rating scale for depression clinical interviews in two industry-sponsored clinical drug trials.
J Clin Psychopharmacol 2006 Feb; 26:(1):71-4
http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?an=00004714-200602000-00015
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The quality of clinical interviews conducted in industry-sponsored clinical drug trials is an important but frequently overlooked variable that may influence the outcome of a study. We evaluated the quality of Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) clinical interviews performed at baseline in 2 similar multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled depression trials sponsored by 2 pharmaceutical companies.
METHODS: A total of 104 audiotaped HAM-D clinical interviews were evaluated by a blinded expert reviewer for interview quality using the Rater Applied Performance Scale (RAPS). The RAPS assesses adherence to a structured interview guide, clarification of and follow-up to patient responses, neutrality, rapport, and adequacy of information obtained.
RESULTS: HAM-D interviews were brief and cursory and the quality of interviews was below what would be expected in a clinical drug trial. Thirty-nine percent of the interviews were conducted in 10 minutes or less, and most interviews were rated fair or unsatisfactory on most RAPS dimensions.
CONCLUSIONS: Results from our small sample illustrate that the clinical interview skills of raters who administered the HAM-D were below what many would consider acceptable. Evaluation and training of clinical interview skills should be considered as part of a rater training program.
Keywords:
Publication Types:
Evaluation Studies
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH Terms:
Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use
Depression/drug therapy
Drug Industry
Guideline Adherence
Humans
Interviews*/methods
Practice Guidelines
Professional Competence
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
Randomized Controlled Trials
Research Personnel/education*
Time Factors
Substances:
Antidepressive Agents
Notes:
See also Comment in:
J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2007 Feb;27(1):116; author reply 116-7.
