Objective The TAO project aimed to evaluate the effects consequent on the introduction of a knowledge-based system to advise on the chemotherapy of lung cancer. A therapy adviser for oncology, TAO, was to be developed, to provide chemotherapy, patient and other information in response to interactive queries by doctors. The early phase of the project was concerned with the refinement of knowledge bases, the construction of the patient-specific database and the design of the man-machine interface. The second phase of the project consisted mainly of the implementation of the knowledge and inference architecture, using a skeletal system already developed by one of the partners. The final phase focused on the evaluation of the system in the context of its use in a domain where heavy reliance is already placed on data analysis techniques. This took into account the attitude of staff and patients and the impact of the tool on work practices, against measures of efficiency, safety, and costs. The description of the evaluation scheme was an early deliverable. The modern management of the treatment of cancer requires the physician to follow complex therapy protocols and to respond with precision and expertise to changes in the patient's condition. Computers are routinely used for oncology protocol data analysis and management. However, most do not directly facilitate the physician's treatment decision process.The project aimed to evaluate the effects consequent on the introduction of a knowledge based system to advise on thechemotherapy of lung cancer. A therapy adviser for oncology, TAO, was developed, to provide chemotherapy, patient and other information in response to interactive queries by doctors. The early phase of the project was concerned with the refinement of knowledge bases, the construction of the patient specific database and the design of the man machine interface. The second phase of the project consisted mainly of the implementation of the knowledge and inference architecture, using a skeletal system. The final phase focused on the evaluation of the system in the context of its use in a domain where heavy reliance is already placed on data analysis techniques. This took into account the attitude of staff and patients and the impact of the tool on work practices, against measures of efficiency, safety, and costs. System building tools were ported to the project for the implementation of TAO on the MIKIC system. Two preliminary implementations of modules of the knowledge based system using different tools were demonstrated. Human computer interaction and graphic interfaces were specified and implemented. Three hospitals were chosen for the validation of the system, located in England, France and Spain, and a statement of the evaluation criteria and an analysis of the operational environment produced.The system-building tools developed in project 387 (KRITIC) were ported by Framentec to the project for the implementation of TAO on the MIKIC system. Two preliminary implementations of modules of the knowledge-based system using different tools were demonstrated. HCI and graphic interfaces were specified and implemented. Three hospitals were chosen for the validation of the system, located in England, France and Spain, and a statement of the evaluation criteria and an analysis of the operational environment produced. Scientific links were established with the ONCOCIN project at Stanford University. Exploitation By its provision of evaluation methodologies and by reporting experience of their use, the outcome of this project has enlarged knowledge of the design and introduction of successful techno-medical knowledge-based systems. Such an evaluation both of expert systems in themselves and of their performance in an operational environment is a prerequisite to their use in industry. The project provided a demanding testbed for the system building tools from KRITIC. A study in a Madrid hospital is evaluating TAO in a clinical environment. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencenatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasesmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologylung cancernatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligenceexpert systems Programme(s) FP1-ESPRIT 1 - European programme (EEC) for research and development in information technologies (ESPRIT), 1984-1988 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator Meterquest Ltd EU contribution No data Address Deacon House 56 Old Church Street SW3 5BS London United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CITSA Spain EU contribution No data Address UNIVERSITY SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA See on map Total cost No data Framentec SA France EU contribution No data Address Tour Fiat 1 place de la Coupole 92084 Paris la Défense See on map Total cost No data Medimatica Ltd United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address 15 Irvine Street London See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Woodhouse Lane LS2 9JT LEEDS See on map Total cost No data
