Fuzzy Cognitive Map Applications in Medicine over the Last Two Decades: A Review Study

Area of Science:

• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
• Computational Intelligence
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) offer a robust framework for representing complex causal relationships in healthcare systems.
• Their ability to model intricate associations between variables makes them suitable for various medical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) applications in the medical domain.
• To systematically examine the literature on FCMs in healthcare over the past two decades.
• To explore current and potential future uses of FCMs in medical decision-making, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of research published over the last 20 years.
• Analysis of studies employing FCMs for medical applications.
• Identification and categorization of diverse FCM applications in healthcare.

Main Results:

• FCMs are widely applied in medical decision-making, diagnosis, prognosis prediction, treatment optimization, risk assessment, and pharmacovigilance.
• The reviewed literature demonstrates the efficacy of FCMs in modeling complex medical scenarios and improving patient outcomes.
• Key areas of application include understanding disease progression and guiding therapeutic interventions.

Conclusions:

• Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) are a valuable and versatile tool in modern medicine, facilitating informed decision-making.
• Further research into FCM limitations and advanced applications can enhance their impact on patient care and medical research.
• The continued exploration of FCMs promises to unlock new potentials in personalized medicine and healthcare management.