title: [Taking the anamnesis with a questionnaire - safe and effective].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The anamnesis is essential for the treatment of any patient. On the other hand, the data are often of poor quality. The aim of the study was to work out whether a questionnaire which is filled out by the patient him-/herself is a reasonable tool for data acquisition.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a level-IV trauma centre the data acquisition of 50 consecutive patients was performed with a questionnaire which was checked by a doctor. Excluding criteria were an age < 18 years, previous treatment in the clinic, a transfer from an external clinic or a caring institution and a dementia. The results were compared with the data of the 50 patients prior to the study start.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We collected data about the general doctor, diseases, allergies, tobacco usage, drugs, operations and the familial situation. In all 7 fields the questionnaire raised more data than the oral survey; in 4 sections the difference was significant, in 3 (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A questionnaire is a reasonable, time-sparing tool for data acquisition of the individual anamnesis in a surgical clinic.
authors: Ruhr-Universität Bochum.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Ackermann
authors: Klinik für Kinderchirurgie, Elisabeth-Krankenhaus, Essen.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Eckert
authors: Klinik für Kinderchirurgie, Elisabeth-Krankenhaus, Essen.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: von Schulze Pellengahr
authors: Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, St. Josef-Hospital, Bochum.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lahner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058996:Quality Improvement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014193:Trauma Centers