Hypothesis-oriented algorithm for clinicians. A method for evaluation and treatment planning.

The purpose of this article is to introduce the hypothesis-oriented algorithm for clinicians (HOAC), which is designed to aid physical therapists in clinical decision making and patient management. The HOAC consists of two parts. The first part is a sequential guide to evaluation and treatment planning; the second part consists of a branching program used for reevaluation and the analysis of treatment effectiveness. Problem statements used in the HOAC are similar to those used for problem oriented medical records. The HOAC, however, requires therapists to state hypotheses about why the problems exist and to generate criteria that can be used to test the hypotheses. The benefits of the HOAC are that therapists must clearly state problems in a consistent manner, generate and list hypotheses and test criteria, develop treatment strategies and methods based solely on the hypotheses, and systematically review treatment. The rationale for treatment is identified clearly in the algorithm, facilitating the identification of inappropriate treatments (ie, those not related to the hypotheses). In addition, the branching program is used to identify where in the treatment process failures may be occurring and when a therapist needs to make a referral or seek assistance from a colleague.