Reference: Musen, M. A.; Fagan, L. M.; Combs, D. M.; & Shortliffe, E. H. Facilitating Knowledge Entry for an Oncology Therapy Advisor Using a Model of the Application Area. 1986.
Abstract: OPAL is a program that allows oncologists to specify new cancer treatment plans for execution by an expert system called ONCOCIN. OPAL is based on a detailed model of the knowledge expected to be found in these treatment plans. The model is represented using a number of graphical "forms" that are employed to acquire and display ONCOCIN's knowledge of individual treatments. Because the knowledge is presented visually in a manner familiar to physicians, expert oncologists can use OPAL to enter and modify treatment plans without dependence on computer programmers. The approach greatly expedites the acquisition of new knowledge for ONCOCIN. Tools based on OPAL could be used to enter knowledge for clinical trial advice systems in domains other than oncology.
Notes: Journal Memo.