CLINICAL-EVALUATION OF THE DIABETES EXPERT-SYSTEM FOR DECISION-SUPPORT BY MULTIPLE REGIMEN INSULIN DOSE ADJUSTMENT

A performance evaluation of the DIABETES rule-based expert system prot otype for clinical decision making is presented. The system facilitate s multiple insulin regimen anti dose adjustment of insulin dependent T ype I or II diabetic patients. The study was performed on 600 subjects from two diabetological centres and three diabetological offices of G reek hospitals. The responses of the attendant medical doctors were co mpared with those of the DIABETES system, with the aid of a specifical ly devised valuation range (0-5 degrees, 0 indicating full agreement a nd 5 full disagreement). The capabilities and the weaknesses of the sy stem in terms of its practicality for decision support in assisting th erapy of diabetes mellitus by blood glucose monitoring and subsequent insulin dose adjustment are discussed. The potential benefits of decis ion support systems for diabetic patient management are seen to be the cost saving they provide in terms of man-hours of verbal instruction by medical experts, the support in terms of objective and consistent d ecision making, as well as the recording of medical knowledge in the i ll-defined field of insulin administration, thus aiding the education and training of medical personnel.