Expert Systems

Question 1

Describe the 3 main parts of every expert system shell.

Answer 1

Knowledge Base
- a collection of rules or other information structures derived from the human expert

Interference Engine
- the main Processing element of the expert system/ applying rules to the system or situation

User Interface
- the method by which the expert system interacts with a user

Question 2

Describe 3 Advantages of an expert system in medicine.

Answer 2

• The computer can store much more information than a GP.
• The computer can’t forget or make mistakes.
• Data can be kept up to date, e.g. Adding more results constantly
• available 24/7
• no loss of expertise, will never retire
• the system can be used at a distance over a network, so out of reach places can use it
• provides accurate predictions with probabilities of all possible problems
• some people prefer the privacy
• gives the doctor more time to deal with more serious cases
• provides a second opinion
• help train young doctors
• can self diagnoses

Question 3

Describe 3 Disadvantages in expert systems in medicine.

Answer 3

• Loss of doctor expertise
• Cost
• Loss of personal touch
• Some people can convince themselves they are worse off than they are
• dependant upon the correct information being given/ GIGO
• expert systems have no common sense