Psychometric approach in psychiatry: excess or necessity?

Abstract

Psychometric approach is historically associated with the formation of psychiatry as a science. Psychometric scales have been used repeatedly to form classifications of mental disorders. Currently, effectiveness of psychometric approach in psychiatry has received evidence-based confirmation in a number of international projects on the pharmacotherapy of depression. A new direction has emerged, called measurement-based care. It has been proven that the use of psychometric scales by 2545% increases the efficiency of diagnostic assessment in psychiatry, improves the interaction between doctor and patient, and improves the organization of psychiatric care. At the same time, a significant number of practicing psychiatrists do not use psychometric scales due to time costs, low validity and difficulties in interpretation. In this regard, modern psychiatry is in dire need of introduction of new psychometric technologies, allowing in a short time to develop economic, valid and accurate psychometric instruments.