A Clinical Knowledge Model as Basis for Constructing a Decision Supporting System

Only a few of the existing medical expert systems have really found acceptance in the clinic. An important reason for this fact is that most knowledge models of the expert systems have been designed outside the clinic and are not well integrated in the routine procedures and way of thinking of the clinic. We found in the clinic a systematic model already in use for teaching purposes that seems suitable as knowledge model for an expert system. Because of the similarities of the model to object oriented programming we developed an expert system in an objected oriented way. We implemented a part of the teaching model concerning the circulation and respiration of neonates.