The Norwegian version of Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.): Feasibility, patient acceptability and test-retest reliability in an acute psychiatric ward.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) is a structured psychiatric diagnostic interview. Feasibility, patient acceptability, reliability and validity of MINI have been tested in other countries, but not yet in Norway.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to test the feasibility, patient acceptability and test-retest reliability of the Norwegian MINI version in an acute psychiatric ward.

Methods: From August 2006 to February 2007 38 patients were interviewed with MINI in the acute psychiatric ward at Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital. Each of the patients was interviewed twice by two different interviewers, with a mean delay of 1.8 days. All interviews were timed to assess feasibility, and the patients filled out a response form to assess the patient acceptability. Cohen’s kappa was calculated to investigate the test-retest reliability.

Results: Mean interview time was 34 minutes indicating satisfactory feasibility. However, this is a longer duration than reported in other studies. The results also indicate that MINI was accepted by the patients. Test-retest reliability was quite high, indicating good or very good agreement for 11 of 16 MINI disorders. However, 2 of the MINI diagnoses had low kappa.

Conclusion: The overall results were positive. Difficulties in interviewing patients with severe psychopathology may be the cause of the few low kappa values and the longer mean duration of the interview.