Decision-support systems in patient diagnosis and treatment

The encyclopedic knowledge of the experienced clinician is an obvious advantage when facing a difficult diagnostic problem. The depth and breadth of their knowledge can be replicated by a computer database, or large decision-support systems, which can be accessed by the student or inexperienced clinician. The software may prompt them to consider alternative diagnoses and further tests that may distinguish between competing hypotheses. Systems like these can aid the physician, but they lack the understanding, empathy and compassion of the good doctor and therefore cannot substitute for the physician's diagnosis. Microdecision-support systems perform a more limited, specialized function, such as the interpretation of electroencephalogram tracings and as differential blood-count analyzers. They are usually associated with particular devices. © 2007 Future Medicine Ltd.