AIDS is a medical problem that continues to have signif icant socioeconomic affects in the 1990's. AIDS has already greatly affected the health delivery system in this country, with the number of diagnosed cases exceeding 242,000 (as of October 1992), and estimates of another 2 million persons infected with the HIV virus. Worldwide, the AIDS caseload is estimated to exceed 2 million persons. However, for various reasons, few physicians are meeting the challenge of caring for HIV infected individuals. While some have a fear of contagion, many cite a lack of knowledge about treatment of HIV as their greatest deterrent to providing care. This expert Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) system addresses the need for up-to-date treatment information and diagnostic techniques for detecting and correctly identifying the many opportunistic infections and conditions associated with HIV. The HIV expert computer system will assist physicians in becoming knowledgeable about the clinical care of HIV infected individuals by utilizing a database of HIV information, case studies, and learning tools to improve their clinical skills.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:This product or set of products can be used by physicians in hospitals, HMOs, and in private practice to improve skills in the diagnosis and clinical care of HIV infected individuals. This should result in better care for persons with HIV illness, and better survival statistics. As newer treatment options become available they will be distributed to users in the form of updated computer software.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
