The use of a structured diagnostic interview for routine psychiatric evaluations.

The author reports the use of a structured psychiatric interview for the routine initial evaluation of all referrals to an inpatient psychiatric consultation service during a 1-year period. Acceptance of this procedure by physician examiners and by patients was high. There was evidence that the structured interview was a useful diagnostic tool and did not interfere with patient rapport. The advantages of structured interviews for routine clinical evaluations are discussed.