Medical algorithm: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:07, 2 October 2007

Revision as of 09:52, 3 October 2007

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{{Original research|date=October 2007}}

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A '''medical algorithm''' is any [[computation]], [[formula]], [[statistical survey]], [[nomogram]], or [[look-up table]], useful in [[healthcare]]. [[Medical]] [[algorithm]]s include [[decision tree]] approaches to healthcare treatment (i.e., if [[symptom]]s A, B, and C are evident, then use treatment X) and also less clear-cut tools aimed at reducing or defining uncertainty.

Medical algorithms are part of a broader field which is usually fit under the aims of [[medical informatics]] and [[medical decision making]]. Medical decisions occur in several areas of medical activity including medical test selection, [[diagnosis]], therapy and [[prognosis]], and [[automatic control]] of [[medical equipment]].