AN EXPERT SYSTEM INTERVENTION FOR SMOKING CESSATION

Intervention efficacy can be increased when the treatment is maximally matched to the needs of the client. One means of achieving such match ing is through use of an expert system, a computer-based decision-maki ng system designed to utilize client information to produce unique, ma tched information and interventions. An expert system can combine the individual matching possible in a clinic-based intervention and the lo w cost associated with a public health approach. This paper begins by discussing several alternative implementations of the expert system ap proach within the general context of communication theory. Second, the theoretical model and related empirical evidence which form the basis of the expert system is described briefly. Third, the details of a co mputer-driven, expert system intervention specifically developed for s moking cessation is described. Finally, empirical results from a study comparing the expert system intervention to three alternative interve ntions for smoking cessation are presented. In general, the expert sys tem approach can provide a cost effective, viable, and efficacious mea ns of intervening in a specific problem behavior area. Implications an d potential areas of development are discussed.