Approach To Differential Diagnosis

Question 1

What is a differential diagnosis?

Answer 1

A process wherein a doctor differentiates between two or more conditions that could be behind a person’s sx

Question 2

What is the goal of a DDx?

Answer 2

To create a final Dx or a list of three possible diagnoses

Question 3

What goes into your assessment?

Answer 3

Chief complaint with three DDx
Secondary diagnoses such as somatic dysfunction, or chronic past medical history diagnoses, or relevant family hx or diagnoses for which a pt requires counseling

Question 4

What are the 5 osteopathic models?

Answer 4

Biomechanical, neurologic, respiratory-circulatory, metabolic-energetic-immune and biopsychosocial/behavioral

Question 5

What is the VINDICATE mnemonic?

Answer 5

Vascular 
Inflammatory 
Neoplastic 
Degenerative/deficiency 
Idiopathic/intoxication 
Congenital 
Autoimmune/allergic 
Traumatic 
Endocrine

Question 6

How do I narrow a DDx?

Answer 6

Start with vital statistics and demographics

Ex. Does a 4 year old child have a herniated disc from lifting? Probably not, but could have constipation contributing to low back pain or playground injury