Decision Support and Expert Systems in Public Health

Abstract

The expanding quantity of health data and the complexity of its applications are pointing to the need for greater application of computer resources to provide support for decision-making in public health and clinical practice. Decision support and expert systems, as illustrated by the immunization-forecasting program IMM/Serve, offer such support, both now and in the future. Would-be developers of such systems, however, must recognize that the systems are both inherently complex and work-intensive in development. Successful decision support and expert systems require incorporation of comprehensive knowledge and sound logic, extensive testing by use of a variety of methods, and consideration of the nature of the decision-making to be supported and the appropriateness of the environment in which such systems will be placed, including the willingness of users to participate in the development process. Clearly, decision support systems can be appropriate for a number of potential applications in public health practice, including analysis of surveillance data, resource management, and the dissemination of practice guidelines.