Validity and Reliability Study of the Thai Version of WHO Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry Version 2.1
Suchat Paholpak MD*, Thawatchai Krisanaprakornkit MD*, Nawanant Piyavhatkul MD*, Suwanna Arunpongpaisal MD*, Poonsri Rangseekajee MD*, Niramol Pajanasoontorn MD*, Jiraporn Khiewyoo PhD**, Surapol Virasiri MD*, Kanida Tassaniyom MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Biostatistics and Demography, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To determine the validity and reliability of the Thai version of WHO Schedule for Clinical Assessment in
Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) version 2.1.
Material and Method: The SCAN interview book version 2.1 was translated from English into Thai. The content validity of
the translation was verified by examining the back-translation. Whenever inconsistencies were encountered, the Thai version
was adapted to convey the meaning of the original. The revised Thai version was then field-tested in 4 regions of Thailand
for comprehensibility of the relatively technical language. Re-edition of the Thai version was made in accordance with
suggestions from the field trial. The complete SCAN Thai version was put into the computerized I-Shell program for inter and
intra-rater reliability study.
Results : Based on the response from Thai subjects and consultations with competent and well SCAN-trained psychiatrists,
content validity was established. The inter- and intra-rater agreement of somatoform and dissociative symptoms module were
0.77, 0.85; anxiety: 0.79, 0.84; mood: 0.80, 0.86; eating disorders: 0.73, 0.76; use of alcohol: 0.66, 0.82; stress and
adjustment disorders: 0.90, 0.94; psychosis: 0.68, 0.76; cognitive impairment: 0.72, 0.78 and observed behavior, affect and
speech module were 0.45 and, 0.51 respectively.
Conclusion : The SCAN version 2.1 Thai version proved to be a reliable tool for assessing psychiatric illness among Thais.
Keywords : Reliability, Validity, Schedules for clinical assessment in neuropsychiatry, SCAN, Semi-structured interview
