Also, the universal acceptance of Web software technology and the promise of Java as a hardware-independent delivery platform have gone far toward resolving technical barriers to the delivery of expert computer technology in the clinical setting. It is fit, therefore, to reexamine the topic of decision support for clinical practice in the context of the new network paradigm that promises to empower both users and software developers. Many fields of medicine are well-suited as domains for development of decision support systems as their clinical aspects become quantitative, causal, and reasonably well computerized. These challenges obtain in many other areas of medical practice as well. As a practical matter, improved decision support and monitoring tools that improve patient outcomes can reduce health care costs while improving the quality of care.
Applied reports describe implementation and validation of architectures.
Because widespread availability of Net connections is so new, reasonable theoretical reports describe prototype systems that explore novel and useful concepts and are therefore worthy of consideration before they are fully validated. More specifically, papers are expected to cover pertinent topics in networked decision support in medicine. All the manuscripts submitted will be subject to a rigorous review process. 1998 Receipt of full papers.