Validity and applicability of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview administered by family medicine residents in primary health care in Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the validity and applicability of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) used by family medicine residents in primary health care (PHC) in Brazil.


METHODS
Training for administrating the MINI was given as part of a broad psychiatry education program. Interviews were held with 120 PHC patients who were at least 15 years old. MINI was administered by 25 resident physicians, while the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis (SCID) was administered by a psychiatrist blind to patients' results on the MINI, and the diagnoses on both interviews were compared. The resident physicians answered questions on the applicability of the MINI.


RESULTS
Concordance levels for any mental disorder, the broader current diagnostic categories and the most common specific diagnoses were analyzed. Kappa coefficients ranged between 0.65 and 0.85; sensitivity, between 0.75 and 0.92; specificity, between 0.90 and 0.99; positive predictive values (PPV), between 0.60 and 0.86; negative predictive values (NPV), between 0.92 and 0.99; and accuracy, between 0.88 and 0.98. The resident physicians considered MINI comprehensibility and clinical relevance satisfactory.


CONCLUSIONS
These good psychometric results in a real-world setting may be related to a special training program, which is more frequent, intensive and diversified. In these conditions, the MINI is a useful tool for general practitioners.
de Azevedo Marques
João Mazzoncini
JM
Department of Neurology, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Zuardi
Antonio W
AW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001938:Brazil; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003479:Curriculum; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000193:education; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors