[The use of extended family APGAR index in OPD]

The present study was designed to evaluate the clinical availability of extended family APGAR in OPD. Five hundred and twenty two patients were collected from three different out-patient departments were studied during a 6 month period. All 522 patients were over 12 years of age and asked to completed an extended family function questionnaire. The patient's age, sex, marital status, occupation, education, family role, socioeconomic status and religion were also recorded. The results showed that there were significant difference among the extended scores of patient's marital status and the socioeconomic status. We also found that patients suffering from family problems, psychosomatic problems and multiple problems have significantly lower extended scores. Because only 3 patients were diagnosed as having family problems by a chart reviewed in all 522 patients, we suggest further research on the extended family APGAR before widely using it in OPD.