Recent research indicates that as sessment time does not positively cor relate with patient understanding. By having patients complete a 24-hour recall form in the waiting room, we at tempted to reduce assessment time during the dietary interview, thereby providing more opportunity for in struction. Fifty-seven diabetic patients were randomly assigned to the 24- hour recall group, a dietary interest in ventory group, or a control group. The 24-hour group spent less assess ment time with the dietitian, but in structional time did not increase. This research suggests that clinicians may need to be taught to take advantage of time savings brought about by the introduction of support systems.