A computer-administered interview on life events: improving patient-doctor communication

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Family Medicine
• Psychological Assessment

Background:

• Developed a computer-administered interview on life events (CAI-LEV) for family practice waiting rooms.
• CAI-LEV provides immediate computer printouts for efficient doctor/patient communication.
• Ensured patient confidentiality using numerical responses across 16 life event areas.

Observation:

• Physicians can use CAI-LEV printouts to assess patient stress and focus on concerns.
• The interview integrates seamlessly into existing patient flow and care.
• CAI-LEV was utilized in a three-month study at a model family practice unit.

Findings:

• Of 93 reviewed physician-evaluated interviews, 40% yielded significant new patient information.
• Doctor-patient communication improved in 22% of cases utilizing CAI-LEV.
• The CAI-LEV demonstrated utility in identifying patient stress and facilitating focused discussions.

Implications:

• CAI-LEV can enhance clinical decision-making by providing rapid patient psychosocial data.
• Integrating CAI-LEV may improve the quality of doctor-patient interactions and patient care.
• This tool offers a scalable solution for routine psychosocial assessment in primary care settings.