Clinical utility and DSM-V.

Full Abstract

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. Copyright 2009 APA, all rights reserved.

Author information

Author/s: Mullins-Sweatt, Stephanie N (SN); Widiger, Thomas A (TA);

Affiliation: National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. stephanie.sweatt(-atsign-)gmail.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Psychological assessment (Psychol Assess), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 21 (issue 3) : pp 302-12

Dates: Created 2009/09/01; Completed 2009/11/03;

PMID: 19719343, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/3/2009, IMS Date: )

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