The clinical algorithm (flow chart) is a text format that is specially suited for representing a sequence of clinical decisions, for teaching clinical decision making, and for guiding patient care. A representative clinical algorithm is described in detail; five steps for writing an algorithm and seven steps for writing a set of algorithms are outlined. Five clinical education and patient care uses of algorithms are then discussed, including a map for teaching clinical decision making and protocol charts for guiding step-by-step care of specific problems. Clinical algorithms are compared as to their clinical usefulness with decision analysis. Three objections to clinical algorithms are answered, including the one that they restrict thinking. It is concluded that methods should be sought for writing clinical algorithms that represent expert consensus. A clinical algorithm could then be written for any area of medical decision making that can be standardized. Medical practice could then be taught more effectively, monitored accurately, and understood better.
临床算法（流程图）是一种文本形式，特别适用于表示一系列临床决策、用于临床决策教学以及指导患者护理。详细描述了一个具有代表性的临床算法；概述了编写算法的五个步骤和编写一组算法的七个步骤。接着讨论了算法在临床教育和患者护理方面的五种用途，包括用于临床决策教学的图谱以及用于指导特定问题逐步护理的方案图表。将临床算法的临床实用性与决策分析进行了比较。回答了对临床算法的三个反对意见，包括认为它们限制思维这一意见。得出的结论是，应寻求编写代表专家共识的临床算法的方法。然后可以为任何可标准化的医学决策领域编写临床算法。这样就能更有效地教授医学实践、准确地进行监测并更好地理解医学实践。
