The authors compared the results of independent evaluations of 96
patients, each of whom was given a traditional psychiatric interview,
resulting in a narrative report, and a structured interview based on a
self-report questionnaire, resulting in a standardized report. Although the
latter method produced a higher frequency of report of all symptoms, the
overall accuracy of diagnoses was similar for the two methods. The authors
enumerate the potential benefits of the use of standardized histories.Abstract Teaser