The International Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project

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The International Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project (IPAP) is a not-for-profit corporation established with the purpose of bringing together experts in psychiatry, psychopharmacology, and algorithm design to enable, enhance, and propagate the use of algorithms for the systematic treatment of major Axis I psychiatric disorders. The approach is polythetic with a central psychiatric focus, utilizing other relevant fields including data modeling, information science (informatics) cognitive science and general medicine. IPAP was founded by Kenneth O. Jobson, MD, who currently serves as chairman of the board of IPAP.

In furtherance of its objectives, IPAP has held or participated in various conferences (1993, National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH); 1996, Vienna; 1997 Web Conference; 1999 Meta-Conference; the Japanese Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project's 1998 Yokohama Forum; the CPAP/IPAP 2000 Beijing Conference; CPAP/IPAP 2002 Beijing Conference; and 2005 ADD/ADHD Conference in Beijing) and symposia (2002 Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum in Montreal, 2002 World Congress of Psychiatry in Yokohama).

Substance Abuse Algorithms Updated

7 October 2013 -- Alcohol and Opioid Algorithms updated

New versions of the IPAP Alcohol and Opioid Algorithms are now available for download on the Substance Abuse page.

IPAP News & Updates

29 October 2008 -- Alcohol, Cocaine, Nicotine, and Opioid Algorithms published

IPAP is proud to publish four new algorithms covering four primary areas of substance abuse and addiction, developed by an international faculty led by chair Roger Weiss of Harvard University and Tom Kosten of Baylor University. PDF versions of the algorithms and detailed notes are available on the new Substance Abuse page.

10 December 2007 -- Bahasa Indonesia translations of the IPAP Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Algorithm

Thanks to the work of Irmansyah and colleagues, an Indonesian translation of the PTSD Algorithm is now available.

24 Jun 2007 -- New Spanish translation of the IPAP Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Algorithm

Algorritmo para el Trastorno de Ansiedad Generalizada (GAD) is now available. (IPAP thanks Rosario B. Hidalgo MD and Mariana Coste Delevcchio for the translation.)

4 May 2007 -- New algorithm publications available online

The IPAP White Paper Symposium on Diffusion, Adoption, and Maintenance of Psychiatric Treatment Algorithms, prepared by Maureen Adamson is available as a PDF download (2.1 Mb) from this web site. The White Paper, subtitled Blueprint for Collaboration represents analysis and recommendations following the 2006 IPAP-University of Buffalo Symposium.

IPAP Special Advisor David N. Osser MD has published an article entitled "The Role of Guidelines and Algorithms for Psychopharmacology in 2007" in the journal Psychiatry Times (April 01, 2007 Vol. 24 No. 4), available at www.psychiatrictimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=199000471. Dr Osser is one of the leaders of the Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project at the Harvard South Shore Dept of Psychiatry (PAPHSSDP) (www.mhc.com/Algorithms) and a long-time contributor to IPAP.

Dean S. Hartley PhD and Kenneth O. Jobson MD discuss the history of IPAP, methodologies of algorithm development, and links to Operations Research theory in "Psychiatrist Prescribes O.R." published by OR/MS Today (lionhrtpub.com/orms/orms-2-07/frpsych.html)

20 April 2007 --Chinese translations of the PTSD and GAD Algorithms

— 国际精神药理学规则系统-创伤后应激障碍 & 广泛性焦虑障碍 (中文版)

Thanks to Wei Zhang, MD PhD and Joseph Wang, MD PhD, Chinese versions of the IPAP Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) algorithms are now available.

15 August 2006 -- New translations of the IPAP Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Algorithm

Spanish and Thai versions of the PTSD algorithm are now available. (IPAP thanks Dr Sofia Arwar (Thai) and Rosario B. Hidalgo, M.D. and Fernando C. Delvecchio, M.D. (Spanish) for their generous translating efforts.)

IPAP-University of Buffalo Symposium becomes catalyst for improving psychiatric treatment at point-of-care

Buffalo, NY (May 5-6, 2006) -- A group of physicians, educators, and informaticians gathered in Buffalo this weekend to explore ways to develop and facilitate use of treatment guidelines to dramatically improve patient care at the Invitational Symposium on Diffusion, Adoption, and Maintenance of Psychiatric Treatment Algorithms. According to The First National Report Card on Quality of Health Care in America (Rand Corporation, 2006), only 50% of patient care in general medicine is optimal. The Symposium, co-sponsored by the International Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project (IPAP) and the School of Informatics, University at Buffalo SUNY (www.informatics.buffalo.edu), focused on opportunities to improve these outcomes through easy access to high quality treatment guidelines available at the point-of-care. View Press Release.

IPAP Algorithms

The Schizophrenia and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Algorithms are currently available, and IPAP is working on a General Anxiety Disorder Algorithm scheduled for publication in late 2006.

The Schizophrenia Algorithm, developed in association with the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum (www.cinp.org) has been recommended by the World Health Organization in the management of schizophrenia.

Algorithms are intended for health professionals and researchers and can be viewed in special interactive versions online or downloaded free of charge by registered users. You may preview existing algorithm content, log in as an existing user, or register with IPAP for the first time (a valid email address is required. IPAP maintains a strict privacy policy.)

IPAP Faculty and Associates

IPAP algorithm faculty are world-class experts and are drawn from leading medical research and clinical institutions from around the world. A partial listing is available on the Faculty & Associates page.