Medical AI systems as appropriate technology for developing countries

Abstract

Expert systems technology has been around for a long time, becoming increasingly easy to use, inexpensive and reliable in recent years. It would seem to provide an ideal vehicle for the dissemination of expertise in developing countries, particularly in the field of medicine, which was the focus of much early work in diagnostic systems. Despite the apparent match of a real problem and a credible solution, however, remarkably few AI systems for medicine in developing countries have been researched, designed and implemented. This paper addresses why this might be the case, reviews some of the extant systems and explores some of the design issues. Particular emphasis is placed on the question of “Appropriate Technology”. Various criteria for Appropriate Technology are explored, and an optimal set used to guide principles of design. It is argued that medical AI systems can satisfy these criteria, provided that sufficient care is taken in their design for the country of application.

Health-Care Technology Transfer: Expert and Information Systems for Developing Countries

“…This increases efficiency and reduces costs. Such computer applications, together with education of the poor in remote rural areas through computer-based tutoring systems, diagnostic expert systems in health-care services [13], regional and international microcomputer-based communication systems [14][15][16], and the potential of information systems to serve planning and improvement of socio-economic development, can fulfil the main criteria for appropriate technology. But there are still difficulties of adjustment and adaptation.…”