What is the purpose of a calibration session in Needs Met Ratings?

• A. To train patients on rating
• B. To increase the number of questions
• C. To reduce access to data
• D. To align scoring criteria across raters

Answer: (D)

In rating systems, keeping everyone on the same page is crucial. A calibration session focuses on aligning how each rater interprets and applies the scoring criteria so that a given rating point means the same thing to everyone. In Needs Met Ratings, this means raters agree on what each level of the scale represents, practice applying those levels to sample cases, and discuss any disagreements to tighten the guidelines. This reduces differences between raters (inter-rater variability) and makes scores more reliable and comparable across patients and over time. Calibration isn’t about teaching patients how to rate, adding more questions, or limiting data access—it's about making sure the scoring is consistent across the team.