| Title | Experience with a Model of Sequential Diagnosis |
| Author(s) | G. Anthony Gorry; G. Octo Barnett |
| Source | Computers and Biomedical Research, Vol. 1, Pages 490-507 |
| Publication Date | 1968 |
| Abstract | A physician must have available two different classes of information when he attempts to deal with a diagnostic problem: the presenting signs and symptoms of the patient, and the pertinent medical knowledge about the disease state. The physician must then use this information in arriving at certain decisions: what additional information about the condition of the patient should be collected; what disease states are most probable; what are the potential consequences of misdiagnosis; what are the therapeutic and prognostic implications of the particular clinical situation. The possibility of significant errors in a diagnostic problem coupled with the decision making activities involved have motivated the development of a wide range of tools to improve the performance of the clinician. This paper reports on an effort to exploit computer technology as such as tool for assistance in the diagnostic activity. [The paper discusses Bayes' Theorem and implementation of a program for the diagnosis of congenital heart disease.] |