Final answer:
Rating scales are used in assessing swallowing disorders to provide a consistent and objective way to measure the severity, aid in tracking treatment progress, and facilitate communication among healthcare providers. For psychological assessments, scales like the Lie Scale help determine the accuracy of responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
We use a rating scale when evaluating patients with swallowing disorders because it provides a standardized method for assessing the severity and progression of the disorder. Such scales are important in creating a consistent, objective framework, which can be used for both initial assessment and for tracking changes over time in response to treatment. Rating scales also support communication between healthcare providers, ensuring continuity of care, and help in making informed clinical decisions.
For example, in the context of psychological assessment, validity and reliability scales such as the Lie Scale are critical. They help in evaluating whether individuals might be portraying themselves in an unrealistic manner to appear healthier or 'fake good.' The use of these scales can detect attempts to underreport psychological problems, hence providing a more accurate diagnosis and improving the overall quality of healthcare.