Computerized decision support: beyond expert systems.
While expert systems hold great promise for decision support, currently available software packages, called decision-modelling programs, provide clinicians with analytical assistance for resolving difficult decisions. This paper describes the two general classes of computerized decision-modelling programs (decision tree analysis and multiple criteria models), and illustrates the descriptions with examples of commercially available packages. Decision tree analysis is useful when the selection of a present action (for example, a treatment) depends on some outcome in the future (i.e. the occurrence of side effects). Multiple criteria models help clinicians when the choice of action depends on satisfying many criteria simultaneously.
D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012984:Software; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States