Using the Practice Guidelines…

General Overview:

This program contains guidelines for the evaluation of ten common symptoms of GI or liver disease. The guidelines are supported by current reviews of literature and other related information and are organized into chapters, which are accassible through the table of contents. To begin using the guidelines, click on the chapter title you are interested in learning more about.

Algorithm View:

Each chapter opens in the algorithm (decision tree) view. The algorithms are based on symptom driven inquiries rather than diagnosis (disease-based) accounts, and are also based on available evidence, rather than expert opinions.

Some decision topics in each algorithm are marked with an Evidence Rating symbol (*). This symbol represents the degree of evidence available to support the indicated decision. Please refer to our Evidence Ratings section for more details.

The Guidelines for Referral Icon, located in the upper right corner of the algorithm screen, directs you to specific information on when to refer to a Gastroenterologist. Additional information is provided for cases when you may need to refer to other types of specialists.

Full Text View:

Easy access to the full text for each chapter is available through the global functions menu at the top of the screen and through the algorithm (decision tree) view. Click on the Full Text button in the global functions menu bar takes you to the beginning of each chapter, and clicking on underlined text in the algorithm will take you directly to the corresponding section of the chapter.

The scrollbar lets you view the chapter text linearly. You can also click on blue or underlined text for additional information. Blue numbers in the chapter text display bibliographical references. You can keep the reference window open, or you can close it by using the close button of the browser window.

Keywords are bolded throughout the text of each chapter. To search for significant discussions of a keyword, click on the Keyword Search button in the global functions menu bar located at the top of the screen. A menu of alphabetically organized keywords will appear. Selecting a keyword displays a list of links that will direct you to specific sections of the chapter where the term is discussed in further detail.

Supporting visuals in this program include slides, videos, and animated anatomical illustrations. Some of these visuals require the Macromedia Flash Player plug in.

To view images at a larger size, click on the image. Use the back arrow of your browser to return to the chapter text. In certain instances, images will be multi-layered and contain additional information. Clicking on the tabs at the top of the image will let you view different layers of information.

Global Functions:

For easy reference, the chapter name and global functions always appear at the top of the screen, allowing you to easily access other chapter texts and algorithms, as well as search features and other resources.

To access other chapter texts and algorithms, click on the Table of Contents button. You will be directed to the main page, where you may then choose your next topic of interest.

If you are in full text view and wish to return to the algorithm view of the chapter you are currently in, click on the Algorithm button.

If you are in the algorithm (decision tree) view and wish to view the full text of the chapter you are currently in, click on the Full Text button.

To search for significant discussions of keywords in the chapter you are currenly in, click on the Keyword Search button. A menu of alphabetically organized keywords will appear. Selecting a keyword displays a list of links that will direct you to specific sections of the chapter where the term is discussed in further detail.

To look up the definition of a term used in the program, click on the Glossary button. A menu of alphabetically organized terms will appear. Clicking on a letter at the top of the page will allow you to move clicking through a list of available terms.

To return to this help page at any time, click on the Help button.

To learn more about the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, click on the UWGI Website button. You will be directed to the Division's website, where you will have access to faculty/author bios, clinic information, current research information, continuing medical education programs, and more.

To return to any of the last ten sections you have visited in the program, click on the Backtrack button. A history menu will appear, allowing you to select the section you wish to revisit.

To conduct a MEDLINE search, click on the MEDLINE button. You will be directed to the MEDLINE website, which contains a comprehensive source of life sciences and biomedical information, with nearly eleven million records.

	Using the Practice Guidelines…
	General Overview:
	This program contains guidelines for the evaluation of ten common symptoms of GI or liver disease. The guidelines are supported by current reviews of literature and other related information and are organized into chapters, which are accassible through the table of contents. To begin using the guidelines, click on the chapter title you are interested in learning more about.
	Algorithm View:
	Each chapter opens in the algorithm (decision tree) view. The algorithms are based on symptom driven inquiries rather than diagnosis (disease-based) accounts, and are also based on available evidence, rather than expert opinions. Some decision topics in each algorithm are marked with an Evidence Rating symbol (*). This symbol represents the degree of evidence available to support the indicated decision. Please refer to our Evidence Ratings section for more details. The Guidelines for Referral Icon, located in the upper right corner of the algorithm screen, directs you to specific information on when to refer to a Gastroenterologist. Additional information is provided for cases when you may need to refer to other types of specialists. back to top
	Full Text View:
	Easy access to the full text for each chapter is available through the global functions menu at the top of the screen and through the algorithm (decision tree) view. Click on the Full Text button in the global functions menu bar takes you to the beginning of each chapter, and clicking on underlined text in the algorithm will take you directly to the corresponding section of the chapter. The scrollbar lets you view the chapter text linearly. You can also click on blue or underlined text for additional information. Blue numbers in the chapter text display bibliographical references. You can keep the reference window open, or you can close it by using the close button of the browser window. Keywords are bolded throughout the text of each chapter. To search for significant discussions of a keyword, click on the Keyword Search button in the global functions menu bar located at the top of the screen. A menu of alphabetically organized keywords will appear. Selecting a keyword displays a list of links that will direct you to specific sections of the chapter where the term is discussed in further detail. Supporting visuals in this program include slides, videos, and animated anatomical illustrations. Some of these visuals require the Macromedia Flash Player plug in. To view images at a larger size, click on the image. Use the back arrow of your browser to return to the chapter text. In certain instances, images will be multi-layered and contain additional information. Clicking on the tabs at the top of the image will let you view different layers of information. back to top
	Global Functions:
	For easy reference, the chapter name and global functions always appear at the top of the screen, allowing you to easily access other chapter texts and algorithms, as well as search features and other resources. To access other chapter texts and algorithms, click on the Table of Contents button. You will be directed to the main page, where you may then choose your next topic of interest. If you are in full text view and wish to return to the algorithm view of the chapter you are currently in, click on the Algorithm button. If you are in the algorithm (decision tree) view and wish to view the full text of the chapter you are currently in, click on the Full Text button. To search for significant discussions of keywords in the chapter you are currenly in, click on the Keyword Search button. A menu of alphabetically organized keywords will appear. Selecting a keyword displays a list of links that will direct you to specific sections of the chapter where the term is discussed in further detail. To look up the definition of a term used in the program, click on the Glossary button. A menu of alphabetically organized terms will appear. Clicking on a letter at the top of the page will allow you to move clicking through a list of available terms. To return to this help page at any time, click on the Help button. To learn more about the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, click on the UWGI Website button. You will be directed to the Division's website, where you will have access to faculty/author bios, clinic information, current research information, continuing medical education programs, and more. To return to any of the last ten sections you have visited in the program, click on the Backtrack button. A history menu will appear, allowing you to select the section you wish to revisit. To conduct a MEDLINE search, click on the MEDLINE button. You will be directed to the MEDLINE website, which contains a comprehensive source of life sciences and biomedical information, with nearly eleven million records. back to top