Artificial intelligence in medical consultation systems: a review

A history of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine is presented. Pre-1970 medical consultation systems are described briefly. Early prototypes of AI consultation systems are then examined. The shift from predominantly general-problem solving research to domain-specific knowledge-based systems research is discussed. Two phases in the evolution of ideas during the period from 1975-82 are distinguished. From 1975 to 1978, prototype systems were fully developed and subjected to critical testing, while giving rise to generalizations. During the period from 1978 to 1982, the first general system-building frameworks were produced. The reexamination of the foundations of medical consultation systems and the shift to rule-based systems during the period 1982 to 1987 are discussed.< >