Isabel (diagnostic decision support system)

Isabel is a diagnostic reminder system that has been in existence since 2001. Initially developed for pediatrics, it now covers all specialties and age groups.

Diagnostic error is a significant problem in acute specialities such as emergency medicine and primary care. Studies show that errors of omission far outnumber errors of commission. Errors of omission are caused by cognitive biases intrinsic to diagnostic decision making; examples are premature closure, confirmation bias and faulty context generation. Isabel aims to provide clinically important alternative diagnoses for consideration; it is not a diagnostic oracle. In this sense, it is most useful in acute environments such as emergency departments, critical care units and family practice, although it can be used in any setting.

Isabel has been studied in a number of settings and is remarkably accurate. See a list of clinical evaluations on the home page: [1]

Recent evaluation of its impact on subjects' decision making in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making: [2]