Human-computer interaction in a medical decision support system

Three different types of user interface in EMERGE, a medical expert system for analysis of chest pain in the emergency room, are described. They are a question-driven mode, in which the system asks the user to respond with y(es), n(o) or? (no information), or with a degree of presence of symptoms; a data-driven mode in which the user enters free-format English phrases; and a menu-driven mode in which the user chooses selections from a list by number. These interfaces are discussed in terms of their implementation, advantages and disadvantages, and the perception the end-user has of the system through the use of each interface. The methods by which the system communicates its results to the user are discussed, including presentation of consultation results, explanation capabilities and establishment of permanent patient files