QMR-KAT: An Interactive Knowledge Acquisition Toold for the QMR Medical Knowledge Base*.

Abstract QMR-KAT is an interactive knowledge acquisition system for the QMR medical knowledge base. It supports knowledge acquisition by automating the more mechanical aspects of the task. This is achieved by relying on the existing knowledge base, thus reducing the time to completion and making the results more repeatable. As a physician enters or modifies information, QMR-KAT immediately checks that the information is compatible with the existing knowledge base. This guarantees consistency and eliminates the need for costly last-minute error checking. The program also provides extensive support for managing medical literature references, an important aid to knowledge base creation. In addition to being a useful tool for the continuing development of the QMR knowledge base, QMR-KAT is a research vehicle into issues of knowledge acquisition for large medical knowledge bases.