The TEMEC project

The TEMEC (Telemedical Consultation) project aims at the design and development of a knowledge-based decision-support system for extended consultation in clinical medicine. It is based on Arden Syntax for Medical Logic Modules (MLMs) and hypertext using World Wide Web (WWW) technology. The system provides advice and explanations regarding the given advice. The explanations are presented in a hypertext format allowing the user to browse related information and to verify the relevance of the given advice.

Connected to the system, a user may navigate from a hypertext page to a form. The form is used to provide the system with patient information. When information has been entered one or several questions is selected. Then, the rule-based component is executed and advice relevant to the patient information provided and the questions asked, is given. From the advice it is possible to navigate back into the hypertext knowledge base to get background information or to get more extensive knowledge.

A prototype has been developed to demonstrate the feasibility of the integration of MLM-based decision-support and hypertext for a consultation system in the field of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases regarding infective endocarditis. The system is intended to be used in a closed local network. With special precautions regarding issues of safety and patient security involving the use pf coding techniques, the system can be used over wider areas as in rural medicine. The system has been evaluated using a qualitative study of clinicians' usage.