PHILOSOPHICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN MEDICINE

This article presents a philosophical and methodological analysis of the problems that arise during the development and functioning of decision support systems (DSS) in medicine. While DSS significantly facilitate clinical practice by supporting diagnosis, treatment decisions, and reducing errors, their effectiveness largely depends on the conceptual foundations embedded in their design. The analysis focuses on five key components of DSS – the knowledge base, interface, problem-solving methods, explanatory facility, and the ability to acquire knowledge – and explores the epistemological and methodological challenges associated with each of them. The paper addresses issues such as the justification of knowledge, terminological consistency, the role of expert judgment, as well as the challenges of formalization and knowledge updating. The necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to DSS design is emphasized. The article outlines future directions for research and argues that philosophical and methodological support is not only of theoretical significance but also a practical requirement for building reliable and adaptive DSS in modern healthcare.