Both the ICD classification of mental disorders, and its American counterpart, the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) efforts have taken pains to make diagnostic classification accountable as examples of public policy. Both organizations have included diverse representation on their working committees, invited input from “outsiders” to the professions and collaborated with related institutions and organizations in preparing their classification revisions.
然而结果却是，精神病学家诊断分类的公共政策认识性方面，表现出了出众的领导才能与创新意识。ICD中的心理疾病分类，与它的美国对应物——美国精神病学协会的《美国精神疾病诊断标准》(DSM)一起，已经正在不遗余力向公众像解释公共政策的范例一样地解释诊断分类。在工作委员会上，这两个组织都运用了大量的演示陈述，邀请了从“行外人”到专家加入其中，与相关协会及机构合作，为校对分类积极筹备。