Introduction

Abstract

This book explores the premise that the clinical literature can, and should, play a central role in computer-based decision support. Specifically, the motivation underlying this research includes the following propositions:

• Reasoning from experimental evidence contained in the clinical literature is central to the decisions a physician makes in patient care.

• A computational model of that reasoning process, based upon a declarative representation for published reports of clinical studies, can drive a computer program that selectively tailors knowledge of the clinical literature as it applies to a particular case.

• The development of such a computational model may help us better understand the general principles of reasoning from experimental evidence both in medicine and in other appropriate domains.