1
Views
1
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

The medical folder as an active tool in defining the clinical decision-making process

Pages 97-112 | Received 01 Jun 1994, Published online: 12 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Whenever the user of a consultation system needs to know a large amount of information items that are possibly inter-related, a system that is able to cooperate with the user can simplify the interaction and increase its speed. In fact, these systems can recognize the goals of the user, individuate the information related to his goals, and finally focus their attention on this information [1]. This paper describes research work on the design and creation of a medical folder management system capable of establishing cooperative dialogue with users who have access to the information contained therein. Particular attention has thus been paid to the problems of man-computer dialogue and user models. The research work has addressed the problem of integrating into the system knowledge about the medical domain and users (physicians are only used for the time being), which are both necessary to activate a cooperative dialogue. After analysing the literature on the problems of user models, this paper presents and formalizes a study performed at the IVth Surgical Clinic of the Rome University Umberto I General Hospital to identify and represent how, when, and with what goals the physician consults the medical folder, as well as the dialogue procedures he normally adopts. The paper also illustrates important characteristics of the CADMIO prototype, which has been developed since the study was made. CADMIO stores information about users for use in recognizing and interpreting their behaviour, providing help, and in acquiring and returning further information. Whilst always bearing in mind the physician's pre-established goals, it structures information to facilitate his consultation activity, offering him options for the retrieval of further information semantically linked to that already obtained.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.