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Development of a Computer‐assisted Headache Diagnostic and Treatment System
Author(s) -
Francis James H.,
Pennal Billy E.,
Wadsworth Wynelle
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1984.hed2401035.x
Subject(s) - medical diagnosis , differential diagnosis , medicine , protocol (science) , treatment protocol , medical physics , physical therapy , pediatrics , surgery , alternative medicine , radiology , pathology
SYNOPSIS The use of a computer for the diagnosis and treatment of headache has been limited; however, studies have suggested its feasibility. In the severe chronic headache sufferer there is difficulty in obtaining and assimilating the diagnostic data. This report describes the first phase of a three‐phase project in implementation of a computer as an aid in actual diagnosis and treatment planning for the chronic headache patient. Input into the computer is accomplished with a patient and a physician questionnaire. The computer sorts, analyzes and compares the data with known diagnostic and treatment criteria and weights the relationships numerically. The results are printed in reports including diagnostic impression and differential diagnosis based on the total value accumulated toward those diagnoses. In addition, information is printed to provide physician and patient information specific to the headache diagnoses. A recommended treatment protocol is given for each headache type. For differential diagnoses, specific confirming tests are recommended. References are provided on the report for the diagnoses found and treatment protocols recommended.