In one of the few studies of its kind, Paul Smith, MD and Michael Grasmick, PhD asked 164 patients attending Belleville Clinic if they would use a computer interview to provide their clinician with information about their cough or sore throat symptoms. One hundred and two agreed to do the interview in the waiting room and another 48 in an exam room.

Receptionists referred all patients with a sore throat or cough to Mike Grasmick, PhD who did waiting room recruitment, consented patients and showed them how to use the computer. The patient entered the information using Instant Medical History(TM) software, and the information was printed out and attached to the chart or made available to the clinician on a computer monitor in the exam room before the patient exam.

Mike called all patients who used the interview process 2-4 weeks after their visit to the clinic for feedback about the use of the computer for gathering information about their symptoms. Patients across all age groups liked the process. Almost all said they would be willing to use a computer interview again to evaluate their sore throat or cough, and over 80% said they would be willing to use a computer interview to answer questions about other medical complaints in the future. They rated the computer easy to use and accurate.

Physicians were less enthusiastic about how this method of gathering patient information worked. Over half of those responding to a survey about the process did not want to use it again for cough or sore throat or were unsure about using it for other medical complaints in the future. They did rate the survey as being reasonably accurate and useful. A follow up focus group discussion by physicians concluded that the computer interview was a less efficient method of gathering patient history information for cough and sore throat, and thought that it interfered with their interaction with the patient. In theory they believe it could be a good idea, but that logistical issues need to be worked out better and the software is not quite ready for regular use.