DFS [XpertSys] - Medical Expert Systems

is one of the first companies to apply artificial intelligence and knowledge engineering to the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the oldest, continuously practiced and most used medicine in the world. TCM has a clear process with clearly defined steps. Books describe extensively the knowledge over a period of 2500 years. This makes it one of the most thoroughly described and tested medicine in the world. However, a lot of practical experience is in the heads of experts. These facts make TCM an ideal candidate for knowledge engineering.
DFS [XpertSys] performs research and develops expert systems (also called knowledge-based systems) for diagnosis, treatment and quality control of TCM.
Currently, DFS [XpertSys] is working on the Classical TCM Preservation Project of which more information can be found on the Research page.

ISO 249 TCM - Quality is Important

DFS [XpertSys] is an active participant of the ISO 249/NC330249 norm committee for defining quality norms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and an expert member of ISO/TC 249 WG Health Informatics - Semantic Content and Informatics on TCM.
Research of the WHO (World Health Organization) showed that 65-80% of the world population relies on traditional medicine for their primary health-care. This can not be ignored and professionalization, by for example quality norms, is inevitable. The following areas are currently subject of normalization:

  • Quality & Safety - medical equipement, natural materials.
  • Informatics - the main area of DFS [XpertSys].
  • Training, Education and Practice of Practitioners.
  • Research Methodolgy.

Further, another key area of DFS [XpertSys] is process measurement. As Tom DeMarco said: "You can't control what you can't measure." The Chinese have a saying: "If you don't know where you're going, any road will do." And W.S. Humphrey (SEI) said: "If you don't know where you are, a map won't help." These sayings summarize the importance of good process measurement. Before you can improve, you have to manage. Before you can manage, you have to control, Before you can control, you have to understand. It is as simple as that.

You can't control what you can't measure.

Tom DeMarco.

 

If you don't know where you're going, any road will do.

Chinese saying.

 

If you don't know where you are, a map won't help.

W.S. Humphrey (SEI).