This study examined the interrater reliability of
neuropsychological diagnoses produced by clinical
neuropsychologists across 4 medical centers. These diagnoses
were based on evaluations using a comprehensive battery of commonly
used neuropsychological test instruments, interview, history
and medical chart review. The diagnoses of individual
neuropsychologists were compared to those made by members of
an external review panel for each patient evaluated. Patients
were first diagnosed as showing cognitive impairment
versus no cognitive impairment. If a patient was diagnosed
as impaired, a specific neuropsychological diagnosis was assigned.
The diagnostic classification for cognitive impairment was
moderately reliable [κ = .48 ± s.e.(κ) = .062].
The interrater reliability for specific diagnoses was in the fair to
good range [κ = .44 ± s.e.(κ) = .029].
These levels of reliability are comparable to those found for
other psychiatric and neurologic specialties and for medical
diagnoses made by other health care disciplines. (JINS,
2002, 8, 555–565.)