The Diagnosis Process Flashcards
What is diagnosis (Dx)
The art of distinguishing one disease / disorder form an other
What is differential diagnosis (DDx)
Arriving at a correct decision between diseases / disorders presenting a similar clinical picture
What does the diagnosis process involve
Full clinical history taking Physical examination Special testing DDx Further investigations Dx
How do you identify and categorise clues
Recognise important clues
Separate relevant and irrelevant info
Identify abnormal findings from normal findings
How do you form and initial problem list
Isolated symptoms Associated symptoms Physical exam findings Positive special tests Differential diagnosis Lab / imaging findings Diagnoses
What are the 4 approaches to organising and prioritising
- Possibilistic approach
- Probabilistic approach
- Prognostic approach
- Pragmatic approach
What is the possibilistic approach
Consider all known causes equally likely and test for all of them
Generally not useful as there are too many possibilities
What is the probabilistic approach
Consider those disorders that are most likely
Pre-test probability is the probability that a disease is present before further testing is done
What is the prognostic approach
Considerate moots serious diagnosis first
What is the pragmatic approach
Consider the diagnosis most responsive to treatment first
What are signs
What we see or ding during physical examination
What are symptoms
What the patient reports / presents with
