Expert systems in diagnostic medicine

Abstract

This thesis is a critical survey of the current expert systemsapplications in medical diagnosis. The emphasis is given tothe accomplishments of such systems as aid to the medical practitioner,rather than as achievements of the computer scientist.For this purpose, following a brief introduction of general principles,major expert systems in use are described. The informationcomes from the latest articles on the subject, conferencenotes and papers published by the developers of the systems. Thesystems are reviewed in an order that demonstrates the evolutionof the methods they employ for imitating the decision-makingmechanism of human experts. The outcome of this survey points atthe unique qualities of medical field and physicians that preventthe routine and extensive usage of such programs.