THE HALF-LIFE OF A STRUCTURED INTERVIEW - THE NIMH DIAGNOSTIC INTERVIEW SCHEDULE (DIS)

The origins and life course of the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) are described. It built upon a newly completed and tested fully structured interview to serve DSM-Ill and over the last 16 years has a ppeared in 5 versions, including one for DSM-III-R. It has been comput erized, and a computerized quick version has been produced. Computer d ata entry, cleaning, and scoring programs, and extensive training mate rials are available. It has been translated into many languages and us ed in many countries. It was the basis for the WHO CIDI, and parts of it have been incorporated in several other instruments. The next phase will be its modification to serve DSM-IV. Other future developments a re envisioned.