Limited primary data are available to indicate in which areas physicians' interview performances are deficient. Videotaped recordings of 48 house officers performing a complete medical history were evaluated using a checklist to assess content, questioning technique, and interview style. Frequent deficiencies included inadequate social, psychiatric, and drug reaction histories. Several house officers demonstrated a marked tendency toward an overly directed interview style. The use of a detailed checklist during the observation of a complete medical history facilitates both accurate evaluation and specific detailed feedback to house officers.