ABSTRACT
The contents of the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) Hepatitis Data Base, a prototype computerized information transfer system for health practitioners, are presently undergoing validation and updating by consensus of a ten member group of subject experts. The Electronic Information Exchange System (EIES) serves as the principal medium of communication linking the geographically-dispersed experts with one another and with the NLM staff. The computer network will also be used during successive monthly updates of the data base. This paper summarizes the experts' successful use of EIES to systematically propose changes to the Hepatitis Data Base, stemming from a thorough review of a baseline version of the data base and of approximately 850 newly-published journal articles in the field of viral hepatitis. Current use of EIES for identifying, discussing, and reaching consensus on controversial aspects of the data base is described.
