[Electronic expert system in medicine. For example ILIAD]

Expert systems are knowledge data bases founded on patient data, literature searches and opinions of experts. With these systems it is for instance possible to test or to take clinical decisions. ILIAD, USA version 4.2, an adaptable software using probabilistic strategies, was investigated. This system is, among other uses, employed for quality assurance and documentation, as a teaching instrument as well as a knowledge base. It comprises the ICD-9 index of diagnoses and a selected and commented up-to-date review of the literature from 'Mosby's Year Book of Medicine'. The features of ILIAD are presented, and the possibilities and limitations of its use as well as that of expert systems in general are discussed.