MYCIN: A Rule-Based Computer Program for Advising Physicians Regarding Antimicrobial Therapy Selection.

The thesis describes a rule-based problem-solving system, termed MYCIN, which is designed to assist physicians with the selection of appropriate therapy for patients with bacterial infections. After a brief survey of medical computing, with an emphasis on computer-based medical decision making, the report describes the clinical problem and the design considerations necessary for a consultation program to gain acceptance by the physicians for whom it is intended. Three system components which are described in detail are a consultation system which interacts with the physician and gives therapeutic advice an explanation system which seeks to justify the programs advice and a rule-acquisition system which accepts rules from experts and codes them for use during future consultation sessions.