Algorithm Program V4 Feature List

The "program" consists of two closely related parts which whose functions are:

1. To present an algorithm in the format of a consultation which results in a recommendation

2. To create and edit algorithms without requiring a programmer.

Consultant Function

• Program can be run live over the Web
• It can be downloaded and installed for use offline (1.2 meg in size).
• Display questions with associated help text
• Display Comments in response to particular answers
• Display Recommendations with associated explanatory text
• Show confidence ratings indicating the strength of evidence for recommendations and distinctions made by questions.
• Show "facts" - that is answers - the user has asserted about the patient. Allow convenient review and changing of answers
• Flowchart of the algorithm
• Answers can be clicked in the flowchart to assert facts quickly
• Consult can be saved to permanent storage on user's local drive. Re-open a saved consult
• Print a consultation suitable for placement in a patient's chart. Options for brief or complete text and references; place for user's response to the consultation
• References can be displayed in place in the text and they can have links to PubMed abstracts
• User can flag author's changes which were made after a date selected by the user. (Useful for users who want to identify changes since they last reviewed the algorithm)
• Supplementary "Psychopharmacology Topics" pages provide additional information to users.
• The program can coordinate with other software through its input and output of consultation data in XML format.
• Multi-language capable
• Links to relevant web sites; a way to download updates and a way to send a message to the authors.

Editor Function

• Can create a new algorithm or edit an existing one.
• Shows a lists of all the questions, comments and recommendations
• All text elements can be edited in the a simple HTML editor. Authors' changes can be marked for users (or co-authors) to identify (see above)
• Page text and references can be previewed in the editor
• One master reference list is maintained with links to PubMed
• References in the text are automatically numbered by the program so insertion of additional references is easy
• The logic of the algorithm is specified by indicating which question comes next after each answer.
• Where to go next can be conditioned on the answer to a previous question (Avoids asking any question twice)
• Program will alert authors to answers which have no connection in the logic
• The flowchart is automatically generated from the logic
• Algorithms can be presented in any language by translating one master file.
• One text file contains all user customizable elements such as directories, character set and information about authorship
• Help system

Features Planned for Subsequent Development

• Make the program able to run on Mac, Linux and other platforms.
• Extend the editor to create versions for Palm Pilot and Pocket PC platforms
• Extend the editor to create a version more suitable for use by lay people.

27 May, 2003