Capturing clinical expertise. A computer program that considers clinical responses to digitalis.

The administration of digitalis by experienced cardiologists has been examined and a prototypical computer program has been developed which captures portions of their expertise. The new program first constructs a patient-specific model upon which to base the determination of dosage and then uses feedback information about a variety of clinical aspects of the patient's response to modify its recommendations. The model reflects both the program's knowledge of pharmacokinetics and those special features of the patient's condition which may alter his response to therapy. The program makes assessments of the therapeutic and the toxic effects of digitalis on the patient, and bases its subsequent recommendations on the "therapeutic-toxic" state which best describes the evolving clinical situation. A clinical trial was performed in which the program "followed" a series of patients managed by clinicians on a cardiology service. That trial demonstrated the feasibility of this type of program in dealing with acutely ill patients, even those who have increased sensitivity to the toxic effects of digitalis. Each patient in the trial in whom toxicity developed had received more digitalis than would have been recommended by the program. This approach to automated clinical consultation should eventually provide a technology for the distribution of clinical expertise.