Reliability of a telephone-based Glasgow Outcome Scale assessment using a structured interview in a heterogenous population of patients and examiners

Scott A LeGrand; Bradley J Hindman; Franklin Dexter; Linda G Moss; Michael M Todd

doi:10.1089/neu.2007.0293

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Reliability of a telephone-based Glasgow Outcome Scale assessment using a structured interview in a heterogenous population of patients and examiners

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Reliability of a telephone-based Glasgow Outcome Scale assessment using a structured interview in a heterogenous population of patients and examiners

Scott A LeGrand, Bradley J Hindman, Franklin Dexter, Linda G Moss and Michael M Todd

Journal of neurotrauma, Vol.24(9), pp.1437-1446

09/2007

DOI: 10.1089/neu.2007.0293

PMID: 17892406

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Abstract

A reliable telephone-based Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) assessment would be advantageous to both patients and investigators. Using a previously published structured GOS interview and scoring system, the aim of this study was to assess the reliability of telephone-based GOS scores compared to those obtained face-to-face in a heterogenous population of patients and examiners. Sixty-six patients hospitalized for a variety of acute neurological injuries underwent two GOS interviews approximately 90 days after injury. From a pool of six examiners, structured interviews were conducted using a standardized data form containing nine yes/no questions. One interview was conducted face-to-face and the other interview was conducted by telephone, the order being randomly selected. A different examiner conducted the second interview, and was unaware of the findings of the first interview. From this data, a separate investigator assigned GOS scores using standardized criteria. Concordant GOS scores were obtained in 71% (47/66) of patients and discordant scores in 29% (19/66); kappa = 0.56 +/- 0.08 (SE) (95% CI kappa = 0.40-0.73). Patient-, examiner-, and interview-related characteristics had no significant associations with GOS concordance, although patient sex had a significant association with discrepant responses to one specific question (work at previous capacity). When used by multiple examiners to assess patients with diverse neurological conditions, use of a structured GOS examination does not guarantee a reliable telephone-based GOS score. Determination of whether patient sex influences the validity of the structured face-to-face GOS interview is worthy of future study.

Disability Evaluation

Reproducibility of Results

Hematoma, Subdural - physiopathology

Telephone

Interviews as Topic - methods

Humans

Middle Aged

Craniocerebral Trauma - physiopathology

Glasgow Outcome Scale

Male

Stroke - physiopathology

Brain Diseases - physiopathology

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - physiopathology

Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial - physiopathology

Aged, 80 and over

Adult

Female

Aged

Observer Variation

Details

Title: Subtitle: Reliability of a telephone-based Glasgow Outcome Scale assessment using a structured interview in a heterogenous population of patients and examiners
Creators: Scott A LeGrand - Department of Anesthesia, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Bradley J Hindman
Franklin Dexter
Linda G Moss
Michael M Todd
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of neurotrauma, Vol.24(9), pp.1437-1446
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1089/neu.2007.0293
PMID: 17892406
ISSN: 0897-7151
eISSN: 1557-9042
Language: English
Date published: 09/2007
Academic Unit: Health Management and Policy; Anesthesia
Record Identifier: 9983806396202771

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13 Times Cited - Web of Science