S Report 82-37 Computer-Based Clinical Decision Aids: Stanford KSL Some Practical Considerations. Edward

Medical decision making research has tended to emphasize the generation of optimal decisions, an issue which is central to the development of clinically useful consultation programs. This paper stresses the need to consider other theoretical and practical issues that are pertinent if consultation systems are to be accepted by physicians. Since adequate decision making performance remains an essential component of acceptable systems, the paper suggests c-iteria for selecting clinical problems that may be amenable to short-term implementation using state-of-the-art techniques. Introducticn At the beginning of a third decade of research into the development of computer-based diagnostic aids, it is appropriate for medical computer scientists to assess the strides that have been taken, the barriers that remain, and the optimal strategies for furthering the field in the years ahead. One purpose of this meeting is to take a thoughtful look at medical decision making research and to identify potential solutions to the theoretical and logistical problems that continue to abound [1],[2].