Source: Cureus

This scoping review in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science, authored by Muhammad Ali, Mahnoor Ali, and Kinza Iqbal, examines the application of rule-based artificial intelligence systems in clinical decision-making. These systems, also known as expert systems, operate on a set of pre-programmed "if-then" rules derived from medical literature and the knowledge of human experts. The review provides a comprehensive overview of how these AI tools are being utilized across various medical fields to assist healthcare professionals in making more accurate and timely decisions.

The authors detail the diverse applications of these systems, which range from aiding in disease diagnosis and creating personalized treatment plans to optimizing drug dosages and interpreting medical imaging. The paper explores both the significant benefits, such as reduced diagnostic errors and improved efficiency, and the inherent limitations, including the difficulty of keeping the knowledge base updated and the system's inability to handle unforeseen scenarios not covered by the existing rules. The review concludes that while rule-based AI is a powerful tool in medicine, its optimal use is as a support system for clinicians, augmenting rather than replacing human judgment and expertise.