The impact of clinical information systems research on the future of advanced practice nursing

Expert systems are "intelligent" computer programs designed to mimic the decision making of a human expert. This article describes two formal evaluations of one of the first nursing expert systems. Initial results were positive, however, subsequent analysis identified significant limitations in the ability of the expert system to mimic the consultation process of advanced practice nurses (APNs). Because few newly developed systems are being subjected to a clinical trial or to the scrutiny reported here, developing systems may prove to be cost inefficient over time. APNs must be actively involved in the design, development, and evaluation of all nursing expert systems.