History of Computer-Assisted Medical Diagnosis at Naval Submarine MedicalResearch Laboratory

摘要

Independent duty hospital corpsmen assigned to submarines are normally the soleprovider of medical care for the crew. Corpsmen with varying levels of experience and training must make diagnoses with limited diagnostic tools and without expert consultation. A medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) can potentially expose a submarine's position, is hazardous to both the patient and the rescuers, especially in high sea states, and is expensive because it entails the movement of large numbers of ships, aircraft and men. For these reasons, the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL) was tasked in the 1970's with developing computerized diagnostic aids for these corpsmen with the goals of reducing the number of unnecessary medical evacuations and improving the quality of health care at sea. This report details the history and development of the computer assisted medical diagnostic aids at this laboratory and would be of benefit to individuals or Commands interested in continuing this type of work. Several of these programs have been approved for distribution by the Commanding Officer, NSMRL, and may be obtained by request....Computer-assisted diagnosis, Expert systems, Artificial intelligence, Diagnostic systems, Medical diagnosis.