Clinical utility and DSM-V.
The construction of the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual has been guided primarily by concerns of construct validity rather than of clinical utility, despite claims by its authors that the highest priority has in fact been clinical utility. The purpose of this article was to further articulate the concept and importance of utility when constructing and evaluating a diagnostic construct. It is suggested that a relative emphasis on validity over utility is justifiable but that matters of clinical utility should not be neglected. Discussed in particular is ease of usage, communication, and treatment planning. Suggestions for future research are provided.
Mullins-Sweatt
Stephanie N
SN
National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. stephanie.sweatt@gmail.com
Widiger
Thomas A
TA
D035843:Biomedical Research; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011586:Psychology, Clinical / Q000379:methods*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results