Jd. Burke et al., TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY IN PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS OF THE SF-36 HEALTH SURVEY, International journal of methods in psychiatric research, 5(3), 1995, pp. 189-194
Citations number
22
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry
Journal title
International journal of methods in psychiatric research
The objectives of this study were to examine the test-retest reliabili
ty of the SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36) among patients seen in an outpat
ient department of psychiatry, to develop a computer-administered vers
ion of the SF-36 and test the reliability compared to the paper versio
n, and to examine the patient acceptability of the SF-36. At stage one
, both the paper and computer version of the SF-36 were administered t
o 138 consecutive patients who had previously been seen in the departm
ent. At stage two, 61 patients returning within one month for a follow
-up appointment completed either the paper or computer version both be
fore and after that appointment as well as a study evaluation form. Re
liability as measured by intraclass correlation coefficients is high f
or simultaneous administration of the paper and computerized versions.
Reliability over a short interval (before and after the patient's app
ointment) is acceptable. Reliability over a longer interval between th
e two consecutive appointments (mean and median 18 days) also appears
to be acceptable for both computer and paper versions. Three-quarters
of the patients felt that the SF-36 could provide useful information t
o their physicians. Among psychiatric outpatients, the test-retest rel
iability of the SF-36 appears to be acceptable for use in outcome stud
ies. The SF-36 can be administered using a computer without jeopardizi
ng reliability. Both versions are acceptable for use with psychiatric
patients.