Interexaminer agreement on patient improvement after negotiated selection of tests
Beal, M.C.; Goodridge, J.P.; Johnston, W.L.; Mcconnell, D.G.
Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 79(7): 432-440
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-6151 PMID: 7358530 Document Number: 157623
An attempt was made to determine whether 3 examiners, independently of each other, could agree whether a patient receiving manipulative treatment had improved over a period of time. A muscoloskeletal examination of each patient was conducted by the physicians independently. Only the physician in charge of the patient was permitted to obtain the patient's history. A 2nd examination was conducted a few days later. The 3 examiners then negotiated a set of agreed-upon findings and testing procedures. These parameters were incorporated into a protocol of examination by which the 3 examiners monitored the patient's progress at approximately weekly intervals during the treatment period. The results of the tests were recorded by using a plus or minus scale: a plus for aggravation, minus for improvement. Most tests showed good long-term agreement, but short-term, visit-by-visit agreement was significant only for certain tests and certain patients.