USE OF EXPERT SYSTEMS, HYPERTEXT SYSTEMS, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT-SYSTEMS IN OCCUPATIONAL DERMATOLOGY

Use of Expert Systems, Hypertext Systems, and Information Management Systems in Occupational Dermatology The rapid and permanent development of personal computers allows their use with expert system programs, hypertext systems, and so-called personal information managers. Only a few years ago, the former of these programs could be used only on mainframe-computers. Parallel to the hardware development, these programs have been improved considerably, concerning speed, complexity, and ease of use. The field of occupational dermatology is characterized by a large number of factors to be taken into consideration. Besides dermatological knowledge, dealing with occupational dermatoses requires knowledge in chemistry, physics, material science, and laws. Modern information technology on personal computers provides tools for the dermatologist in occupational dermatology which might help to simplify the diagnosis of occupational dermatoses. We have evaluated the use of an expert system, a hypertext system, and a personal information manager for the use in occupational dermatology.