MICRO-IDEA: improving decisions in epidemiological analysis by a microcomputer.

A microcomputer system has been designed to promote uniform and correct epidemiological data handling in the Local Health Units of the National Health Service in Italy. The system allows to define files of any format, to perform the common data manipulation procedures and to make simple statistical analyses. Two modules, based on artificial intelligence techniques, give the possibility to input from 'experts' and to update domain-specific knowledge concerning facts which characterize the application area covered by the file, and some consultation models which represent the reasoning to follow when solving problems of epidemiological data analysis. A decision support module allows an inexpert user to have access to these models, and to be guided in the choice of the appropriate procedure. The menu-driven interactive approach insures a friendly user-to-system interface, and entails a little training for effective use by health workers inexpert in informatics.