A model-based approach to visualizing classification decisions for patient diagnosis

Automated classification systems are often used for patient diagnosis. In many cases, the rationale behind a decision is as important as the decision itself. Here we detail a method of visualizing the criteria used by a decision tree classifier to provide support, for clinicians interested in diagnosing corneal disease. We leverage properties of our data transformation to create surfaces highlighting the details deemed important in classification. Preliminary results indicate that the features illustrated by our visualization method are indeed the criteria that often lead to a correct diagnosis and that our system also seems to find favor with practicing clinicians. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.

Duke Scholars

Author Keith Allen Marsolo Population Health Sciences