A Health Questionnaire Based on Paper-and-Pencil Medium, Individualized and Produced by Computer

Abstract

This study tested the usefulness and acceptability to physicians of the medical history acquired by the first level of the mark-sense format patient-inventory questionnaire. The data, although accurate, were not useful for determining urgency of the medical problem, functional versus organic nature of the problem, complexity of the problem, physician time needed for consultation, the appropriate medical specialist to deal most efficiently with the problem, or specific laboratory tests needed to clarify diagnosis. Clinicians initially were enthusiastic about the technique but, after months of use, complained that it accumulated too much trivial information, necessitating increased physician time and work, and that the data were not helpful in making medical decisions. Questionnaire content must be based on the proposed use of the data if these data are to be useful; some technique such as higher-level questionnaires will be necessary to eliminate trivial information if the questionnaire is to be acceptable to physicians.