The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5-CV) Clinician Version, is a semistructured interview for making the DSM-5 diagnoses. It is administered by a clinician or trained mental health professional who is familiar with the DSM-5 classification and diagnostic criteria. The SCID-5-CV can be used in a variety of ways: To ensure that all of the major DSM-5 diagnoses are systematically evaluated in adults. For example, the SCID is often used as part of intake procedures in clinical settings and to help insure a comprehensive forensic diagnostic evaluation. To select an adult study population. For example, in a study of the effectiveness of a treatment for depression, the SCID can be used to insure that all of the study subjects have symptoms that meet the DSM-5 criteria for Major Depressive Disorder and that all of the subjects with a history of any Substance Use Disorder in the past 12 months are excluded. To characterize a study population in terms of current and past psychiatric diagnoses. For example, diagnostic data that are obtained using the SCID interview can be used by researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and the general public who are interested in prevalence and incidence estimates of psychiatric disorders among certain populations (e.

g., substance use among adults in the United States). To improve interviewing skills of students in the mental health professions, including psychiatry, psychology, psychiatric social work, and psychiatric nursing. For example, the SCID can provide trainees with a repertoire of useful questions to elicit information from a patient as the basis for making diagnostic judgments. Through repeated administrations of the SCID, students become familiar with the DSM-5 criteria and at the same time incorporate useful questions into their interviewing repertoire. The User's Guide provides instructions on how to use the SCID-5 effectively and correctly. It contains sections describing the rationale and structure of the SCID-5. Detailed discussions on how to interpret and apply the specific DSM-5 criteria for major disorders will further guide diagnosis.

A number of sample role-play and homework cases are also included to help clinicians learn how to use the SCID-5-CV.