Retrieval of clinical science information using an interactive activation and competition network

A method for storing and retrieving tabulated clinical science information is described. This method uses the interactive activation and competition network and belongs to the realm of parallel distributed processing. The advantages of this method are that information is readily retrievable by name and by any content, and that the best matched information is automatically returned when partially incorrect cues are given. Furthermore, it allows a variable degree of association among different units of information. The basic principles of this method are illustrated through a simple example from clinical bacteriology. In addition, an application of this method to the retrieval of information in cardiology is presented.