Interrater Reliability After a Brief Training in CGI for Psychologists
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30834/KJP.29.1.2016.67Abstract
Background: There is a paucity of mental health research in India, mainly due to lack of trained manpower. There are instances in India where basic health care is delivered by trained lay persons when services of professionals are unavailable. Can the same approach be adopted in conducting mental health research too?
Aims: To measure the interrater reliability of Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI) between psychologists and psychiatrist after a brief, focused training was imparted to the psychologists.
Materials and methods: Three psychologists with sound theoretical knowledge but little clinical exposure were given brief focused training by psychiatrist in the use of CGI. The interrater reliability between the trainees and the trainer was measured.
Results: There was significant inter-rater reliability as regards the subscale ‘severity of illness’, but not in the other two subscales of CGI.
Conclusions: It is possible to conduct research in a resource poor country like India by utilizing the services of paraprofessionals by imparting brief, focused training, under guidance. The approach has certain limitations too.
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