Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
CASE STUDY: MEDICAL EXPERT SYSTEMS
Expert systems have been developed in various disciplines, including clinical decision making.
These systems have been designed to simulate the decision-making skills of physicians. Their
adaptability, however, depends on the presence of an accepted body of knowledge regarding
the “prescribed path” physicians would take given specific input data. These systems have been
viewed as “advisory systems” providing the clinician with suggested/recommended courses of
action. The ultimate decision remains with the physician.
Consider one such system designed to monitor drug treatment in a psychiatric clinic. This
system, designed and implemented by biomedical engineers working with clinicians, begins by
the entry of a specific diagnosis and immediately recommends the appropriate drugs to be consid-
ered for the treatment of someone who has that mental disorder (Figure 2.6). The physician selects
Begin Treatment
Monitor Activities:
Medical History/
Mental Status Exam
Check Diagnosis
DSM-III Diagnosis
Check Lab Results
Laboratory
Pretreatment
Verify Selection
Protocol:
Select Procedure (drug)
Check Dosage
Prescription
Monitor Results
Follow Up Labs
Rating Scales
Clinical Examinations
No
Yes
Check If Therapeutic
Therapeutic
Procedure?
No
Yes
FIGURE 2.6
The drug treatment process followed by clinicians.
