RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 New-Patient Self-History Questionnaires in Primary Care
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Practice
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 23
OP 27
DO 10.3122/15572625-11-1-23
VO 11
IS 1
A1 Guthmann, Richard A.
YR 1998
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/11/1/23.abstract
AB Background: In the current environment of increasing health care efficiency, the benefits of patient self-history questionnaires need to be fully explored. The utility and reliability of new-patient self-history questionnaires have been documented in the medical literature. This study investigates the prevalence of these patient self-history forms in primary care offices. Methods: A sample of primary care offices listed in the yellow pages by specialty were surveyed by telephone. Survey questions included the use of new-patient self-history questionnaires as well as other characteristics about the offices. Findings from offices using questionnaires were compared with findings from offices not using questionnaires. Results: Of 129 offices contacted by telephone, 116 (90 percent) responded. Of the 116 offices surveyed, 53 percent were using new-patient self-history questionnaires. Offices using questionnaires had more patients in managed care (P = 0.028) and fewer patients insured by Medicare or Medicaid (P = 0.002). There were no significant differences in other office characteristics. Conclusions: This study shows that primary care offices underutilize new-patient self-history questionnaires.