Report 77-32.pdf

COMPUTER PROGRAM APPLIED TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES* Edward H. Shortliffe Cepartmenc of!'edicine Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, California 94305 A rule-based expert system is described which uees artificial intellieence techniques, and a model of:he iateractica between phesiciane and human consul-:ants, to attempt to satisfy the demands of a user:o unIr7 that is often reluctant to experiment with touter zecnnology. Experteace to date has demonstrated that the program is efficient, relacively easy to use, and reliable in the domain ofbacearemei therapy selection. Future work will involve broadening dad evaluatim; tne program's expertise in other areas of infectaoue disease therapy. Ihtreductioa Few eotentialusereopulations are as demanding of tomeuter tecenology as are practicing physicians. This our to a variety of factors which include the,eysecian's independeace as a lone decision maker, the seriousaess wieh which he views actions that may often have life-and-Ceach sigaifizance, and the overwhelming:t.me