Optimised diabetes therapy knowledge-based systems: safety critical issues

A recurring theme in physicians´ criticism of medical knowledge-based systems, particularly where the determination of treatment is concerned, has been one of doubts on reliability. Acceptance criteria for reliability are related to risk and safety considerations. The development of two related safety critical knowledge-based systems for optimised diabetes therapy illustrates approaches to these problems. The project shows the importance of thorough testing and clinical trials in overcoming physicians´ very reasonable fears concerning the use of safety critical medical computer systems