Vol. 7-3177 Evaluation of Bayesian Networks Used for Diagnostics

Abstract-Bayesian networks have been very useful as models for computerized diagnostic assistants, as evidenced by numerous citations in the literature. However. a number of important practical problems in the application of Bayesian networks to diagnostics have still not been properly addressed. One of these is the evaluation of Bayesian network models. The quality of a model determines the quality of diagnostic recommendations obtained using that model. Thus, comprehensive analysis and evaluation of Bayesian models provides a fm basis for estimation of performance of diagnostic tools based on these models. Our approach to Bayesian network evaluation relies on the use of Monte Carlo simulation and the efficient visualization of simulation results. This technique allows u