General Items

Question 1

General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)

Answer 1

Self-rated

Screening tool for psychiatric illness designed to be used in primary care

4 versions available, from a 12 item to a 60 item scale

Question 2

Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)

Answer 2

Clinician rated

100 items

Looks at overall level of functioning (psychological, social, occupation)

Question 3

Clinical Global Impression (CGI)

Answer 3

Often used in drug trials to monitor effectiveness

2 items;
Global Severity - clinician rates the severity of illness relative to others with the same diagnosis
Global Change - rates change relative to a baseline assessment

Question 4

Quality of Life Scales

Answer 4

Numerous scales available

Can be patient or carer rated

Question 5

Brief Symptom Inventory

Answer 5

Three six-item scales (somatisation, depression and anxiety) as well a global severity index

Question 6

Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID)

Answer 6

Clinician administered assessment which takes form of a semi-structured clinical interview

Usually used in research / epidemiological studies

SCID II used to diagnose personality disorders