title: Evaluation of data-base.
abstract: The records of 421 psychiatric patients were analysed by a consistent method, allowing an optimal use of indicant-patterns. It was assumed that such a procedure would give a satisfactory predictive capacity, even for operational criteria as for example choice of treatment, duration of stay in hospital, or a global evaluation of outcome. The study demonstrates, however, that fundamental changes in the data-base are necessary. Problems of reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity are discussed and some suggestions are offered for the future improvement of psychiatric data-bases.
mesh_terms: D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis