Can computerised decision support systems deliver improved quality in primary care

Computerised decision support systems or "expert systems" are computer software systems that are designed to aid clinical decision making. Computerised decision support has been defined as provision of assessments or prompts specific to the patient and selected from a knowledge base on the basis of individual patient data.(1) At its simplest this definition will include programs that suggest alternatives for treatment or diagnosis on the basis of a simple algorithm. More complex systems model the likelihood of future events and the effectiveness of proposed interventions based on Individual patient data and "knowledge" of risks and the effectiveness of interventions.(2)