The research will develop a standard definition and specifications of a clinician-oriented knowledge server (ks), to automatically assist providers in formulating context-sensitive queries of external knowledge bases. The standare will focus specifically upon an initial definition of a universal standard for interfacing providers' patient-care systems to any of several external knowledge bases through th ks mechanism. The standard will address modes if inquiry, types of data searches typically encountered, and means to enhance the interaction between provider and data sources. Pdq and cancerlit knowledge bases will be used to develop this prototype. The research also will demonstrate potentials for using a voice-activated interface between provider and computer. The work will illustrate the application of a patient-care system based upon voice recognition, such as the kurzweil voicefm product, and the knowledge server specification, for accessing data within the pdq or cancerlit knowledge bases. Potential advantages and constraints of this type of interface will be identified. The work will promote and facilitate the integration of knowledge servers and voice activated computer technologies into commercial patient-care software, thereby increasing the use of medical knowledge bases such as pdq and cancerlit.
Project Terms: artificial intelligence; cancer information system; computer assisted patient care; computer human interaction; computer program /software; computer system design /evaluation; medical records; patient care management; voice
