Do the DSM decision trees improve diagnostic ability?

Abstract

Experiment 1 examined whether the use of the DSM-III-R decision trees increased the accuracy of DSM-III-R diagnoses. Results indicated that the use of the decision trees interacted with the level of DSM-III-R experience to affect diagnostic accuracy. The use of the decision trees resulted in a modest increase in diagnostic accuracy for participants with less DSM-III-R experience; for participants with more DSM-III-R experience, the use of the decision trees had no significant effect on diagnostic accuracy. Experiment 2 examined whether the use of the DSM-III-R decision trees increased the accuracy and confidence and decreased the time of DSM-III-R diagnosis across participants with varying levels of DSM-III-R experience. The primary analyses consisted of a 3 ϫ 2 ϫ 2-multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to determine whether the use of the decision trees increased diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic confidence and decreased diagnostic time. Results indicated (1) the experienced participants made more accurate diagnoses than the less-experienced and no-experience participants; (2) the decision trees, combined with practice, increased class diagnostic accuracy and decreased diagnostic time; and (3) participants were more confident in their diagnosis when they used the decision trees than when they did not use the decision trees. Supplementary analyses consisted of two one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedures and indicated that participants' preference for and knowledge of how to use the decision trees did not significantly affect their diagnostic accuracy.

Classification algorithm for the International Classification of Diseases-11 chronic pain classification: development and results from a preliminary pilot evaluation

“…4 By guiding the user through all criteria that have to be assessed, the CAL-CP ensures that none of the compulsory criteria are missed when assigning an ICD-11 chronic pain diagnosis. This, in turn, contributes to efficiency, 4,32 diagnostic accuracy, 20 diagnostic consistency, 6,27 as well as increased reliability of the diagnoses. 17,28 Furthermore, the use of algorithms during diagnostic and classification processes can reduce, but not eliminate, errors.…”

Online counseling: dynamics of process and assessment

“…Clinical diagnosing has been found to be critical to developing successful treatment plans with clients (Stout, 1991). The DSM has been developed over the years to provide a reliable diagnostic classification system, and has been shown to be more accurate than other systems of classification (Malt, 1986;Morgan, et al, 2000).…”

“…Previous research has demonstrated that experienced therapists were able to provide more accurate diagnoses than less experienced therapists, or those with no experience (Morgan, et al, 2000). Basco and colleagues (2000) conducted a study to determine how diagnostic accuracy could be improved.…”

Online counseling: dynamics of process and assessment

“…Participants were asked to provide a preliminary Axis I diagnosis using the has been found to be critical to developing successful treatment plans with clients (Stout, 1991). The DSM has been developed over the years to provide a reliable diagnostic classification system, and has been shown to be more accurate than other systems of classification (Malt, 1986;Morgan, et al, 2000).…”

“…For both the anxiety and depressed client vignette, over 90% of the therapists-in-training assigned a proper diagnosis. Previous research has demonstrated that experienced therapists were able to provide more accurate diagnoses than less experienced therapists, or those with no experience (Morgan, et al, 2000). Basco and colleagues (2000) conducted a study to determine how diagnostic accuracy could be improved.…”