The best return visit interval to achieve blood pressure control is currently unknown. This study investigates the relationship between return visit interval and percent change in blood pressure. We reviewed a cohort of hypertensive patient charts from two large, urban family practice offices. Four hundred twenty‐nine patients with 7910 intervals showed a mean return visit interval of 79.5 days. Blood pressure control occurred during 34.5% of office visits. Pearson's r correlation coefficients between return visit interval and percent change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure demonstrated a small but statistically significant correlation. Shorter return visit intervals were associated with better percent changes in blood pressure. The return visit interval may be a simple and useful tool to improve management of hypertension.

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Background: In the current environment of increasing health care efficiency, the benefits of patient selfhistory questionnaires need to be fully explored. The utility and reliability of new-patient self-history questionnaires have been documented in the medical literature. This study investigates the prevalence of these patient self-history forms in primary care offices.Methods: A sample of primary care offices listed in the yellow pages by specialty were surveyed by telephone. Survey questions included the use of new-patient self-history questionnaires as well as other characteristics about the offices. Findings from offices using questionnaires were compared with findings from offices not using questionnaires.Results: Of 129 offices contacted by telephone, 116 (90 percent) responded. Of the 116 offices surveyed, 53 percent were using new-patient self-history questionnaires. Offices using questionnaires had more patients in managed care (P = 0.028) and fewer patients insured by Medicare or Medicaid (P = 0.002).There were no significant differences in other office characteristics.Conclusions: This study shows that primary care offices underutilize new-patient self-history questionnaires. 0 Am Board Fam Pract 1998;11:23-7.)