Inter-rater reliability of the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START)

Empirical evidence supports the reliability and validity of the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START) completed in the context of research studies as well as field implementation. However, one limitation is that the body of literature is not fully representative of the range of services where the tool is applied, highlighting the paucity of UK-based research into the START. The primary aim of this study was to assess the inter-rater reliability (IRR) of the START and to examine whether IRR varies across professional disciplines who routinely complete the assessments as part of the integrated multi-disciplinary teams in the field of male mental health within an independent provider of healthcare services. Further aims were to look at the internal consistency of IRR and the test re-test reliability. Findings overall indicated better IRR for START items, between disciplines, across different cases and time, than for risk estimates. Therefore, outcomes are discussed in relation to applied practice for professionals within the service, but also the implications this may have for general risk management based on risk estimation.