Inter-rater reliability of physical examinations in a prospective study of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To test the inter-rater reliability of physical examinations for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.


METHODS
A total of 111 subjects were examined by both an occupational medicine physician and a physical therapist, who were blinded to each others' tests results and subjects' current symptoms and health histories.


RESULTS
Inter-rater reliability was moderate to excellent (0.52 to 0.88) for shoulder tests but required the inclusion of symptoms for increased inter-rater reliability of fair to excellent (0.27 to 0.57) for the elbow and hand/wrist tests.


CONCLUSIONS
With the lack of "gold standard" tests, it is important that epidemiologic field studies conduct and report inter-rater reliability testing results between study examiners. It is important for researchers to report the results of inter-rater reliability, so that practitioners can weigh the results of study findings to improve both their diagnosis and treatment of these costly injuries.
Smith
Caroline K
CK
Insurance Services Division, SHARP Program, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, WA 98504-4330, USA. smcb235@LNI.wa.gov
Bonauto
David K
DK
Silverstein
Barbara A
BA
Wilcox
Dana
D
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014861:Washington