Given the structure of the DISC interviews, impairment ratings were obtained only if a certain amount of symptoms was present.
For patients with cognitive or hearing/language impairment limiting the interview, disability information was obtained from a surrogate who had frequent contact with the patient.
A structured diagnostic interview and an impairment rating were used as standards.
In contrast to pre-admission information, the extent of concordance between interview and documented impairment in at least 1 of the 7 ADLs on-admission was low (к = 0.28).
Proxy informants were used in interviews where cognitive impairment was judged to limit the ability of participants to provide reliable answers.
The following symptoms were taken into consideration when analyzing the results of medical interviews: sudden hearing impairment or loss, earache or sore throat, burning throat, tinnitus (squeaks, swishes, bubbling sounds, pulsations, whistles, chirps, and sea humming), and vertigo.
This decision was based upon ratings on the EDE and the investigator-based impairment interviews, and was made blind to the patient's identity, point of follow-up and responses to the EDE-Q and CIA.
Exclusion criteria were any factors that would preclude a meaningful interview such as cognitive impairment, aphasia, profound hearing impairment, language barriers, or participation in pilot interviews.
We excluded people working in the health field and those with impaired vision or inability to undertake the interview due to cognitive impairment or inability to converse in English.
If necessary, we planned to interview patients with communication impairment using Talking Mats™ (http://www.talkingmats.com), an evidence-based low-tech communication framework routinely used within team.
When a child presents with UCP, it is essential to make a careful psychiatric assessment, including a professional child observation and interview, symptom severity, and impairment.
