a method and a device for giving patients individualized , situation - dependent medication advice are disclosed . preferably , the invention is implemented in portable computers . the method is founded on knowledge - based computer technology and comprises a reminder function , a recording and storage function , as well as a function for inductive data analysis and rule generation . when the knowledge - based system finds that a medicine should be taken , the computer emits a signal providing information on the type of medicine and the dose . the patients records the intake of medicine as well as his current state of health . this information is stored in a database together with the point of time . inductive data analysis is used to spot the relationship between various events and symptoms as well as establish medication rules . these rules are refined upon as new information is recorded in the database , and are automatically adapted to changes in the patient &# 39 ; s state of health .