The use of a patient-interactive microcomputer system to obtain histories in an infertility and gynecologic endocrinology clinic.

An inexpensive microcomputer has been programmed to obtain histories from patients attending an infertility and gynecologic endocrinology clinic. The system is directly interactive; patients enter their answers on a specially designed keyboard containing only "yes," "no," and "don't know" buttons and the numbers 1 to 5. A neatly formatted summary of the history is then provided by an interfaced printer. The history follows a branching pattern: Of the 330 questions incorporated in the program only 76 are asked in the course of the average history. The program contains numerous features which make it easy to use. For example, patients are provided with more detailed explanations of questions they find difficult to answer. These are produced either on command or automatically if the response time is prolonged. Crossover comparison with manual histories showed that the computer produces an accurate and exhaustive record containing many additional significant items. This system was designed to facilitate and not replace the physician interview. A confidential questionnaire revealed a high degree of consumer acceptance.