A GENERAL THEORY FOR AUTOMATIC DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

The problem of automatic diagnosis by use of a computer is expressed as an optimization problem in which parameters are chosen to minimize the diagnosis errors in reference to a previously treated set of patients. The results are expressed in terms of statistical measures of mutual associations of symptoms, and of symptoms with diseases. A decision criterion is discussed, and a formula is derived to describe the diagnostic value of each symptom. No assumptions are made regarding mutual exclusiveness of diseases or statistical independence of symptoms.

Citation

HEAPS, H.S. (1973), "A GENERAL THEORY FOR AUTOMATIC DIAGNOSIS", Kybernetes, Vol. 2 No. 1, pp. 3-9. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb005317