[Medical expert systems. Developmental activities in the Scandinavian countries].

Medical expert systems is a term for computer programs which represent and structure medical knowledge, and which can supplement or replace man in decisionmaking. Several research groups in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden are developing such systems. Many of the projects emphasize educational aspects and also serve to qualify the participants in the project. The medical expert systems are applied to clinical chemistry, neurophysiological testing or intensive care. Within this field of medical expert systems there is much duplication of activities and too little practical application. Usually the systems are developed to be used as functional prototypes and are often not good enough or not intended to be used in daily hospital routines. There should be good prospects in this field in the near future.