A probability-based aid for teaching medical students a logical approach to diagnosis.
In this paper we present a method of teaching medical students a logical approach to diagnosis. By using the independent Bayes method, commonly employed in decision aids, students can be made aware of how information on each new symptom affects what is likely in the light of what is known already. This approach is used for the diagnosis of thoracic symptoms in patients with normal chest X-rays and an example is given. Extensions of the system to incorporate information from investigations and error costs are discussed.
Department of Mathematical Statistics and Operational Research, University of Exeter, Devon, U.K.
N J
NJ
Crichton
P A
PA
Emerson
D003933:Diagnosis; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D006801:Humans; D008128:Logic; D009874:Operations Research; D011338:Probability Theory; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis