Abstract
An intermediate-technology pattern matching model and decision support system for veterinary diagnosis is described. Six diseases of cattle occurring in the tropics are used to illustrate the model. The pattern matching model is composed of a series of transparent overlays and a template. Each transparent overlay represents a sign state and contains sign frequency information for the diseases on the template. By superimposing multiple transparent overlays upon the disease template, a ranked list of differential diagnoses can be obtained. Ranking is by summation of disease sign frequencies. Modifications to accommodate observational uncertainty are presented. Disease prevalences can be represented in the model.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Barrows, H.S. and Bennett, K., 1972. Experimental studies on the diagnostic (problem solving) skills of the neurologist: their implications for neurological training. Archives of Neurology, 26, 273–277
Blood, D.C., 1985. Computer-assisted diagnosis. Proceedings of the Post Graduate Committee of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Seminar 79, 115–118
Blood, D.C., Brightling, P. and Larcombe, M.T., 1989. Bovid: bovine information and diagnosis system. Unpublished licensed proprietary work, 209 Watton Street,Werribee,Victoria, Australia
Blood, D.C., Brightling, P. and Larcombe,M.T., 1990. Diseases of Cattle: AManual of Diagnosis, (Ballière-Tindall, London)
Cockcroft, P.D., 1996. Pattern matching models of veterinary diagnosis, (DVM&S thesis, Edinburgh University)
Cohen, P.R. and Gruber, T.R., 1984. Reasoning about uncertainty: a knowledge representation perspective. Expert Systems, State of the Art Report, 12, 25–33
Detmer, D.E., 1978. Heuristics and biases in medical decision making. Journal of Medical Education, 53, 682–683
Dowie, J. and Elstein, A., 1988. Introduction. In: J. Dowie and A. Elstein (eds), Professional Judgement, A Reader in Clinical Decision Making, (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge), 1–41
Elstein, A.S., Shulman, L.S. and Sprafka, S.A., 1978. Medical Problem Solving: An Analysis of Clinical Reasoning, (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA)
Essex, B.J., 1977. Diagnostic Pathways in Clinical Medicine, (Churchill Livingstone, London)
FAO, 1992. Animal HealthYearbook, (Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome)
Hunter, A., 1996. Animal Health:Vol. 1, General Principles, (CTA MacMillan, London), 76
Kassirer, P.J., Kuipers, J.B. and Gorry, G.A., 1982. Toward a theory of clinical expertise. American Journal ofMedicine, 73, 251–259
Morley, P.S., 1991. Clinical reasoning and the diagnostic process. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practising Veterinarian, 13, 1–18
Nash, F.A., 1954. Differential diagnosis: an apparatus to assist the logical faculties. Lancet, 266, 874–875
Rogers, W., Ryack, B. and Moeller, G., 1979. Computer-aided medical diagnosis: literature review. International Journal of Biomedical Computing, 10, 267–289
Thrusfield, M., 1986. Data structures and retrieval. In: M. Thrusfield (ed.), Veterinary Epidemiology, (Butterworth, London), 123–125
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cockcroft, P. An Intermediate-Technology Pattern Matching Model of Veterinary Diagnosis. Tropical Animal Health and Production 31, 127–134 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005144628361
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005144628361