Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis (pronounced: dif·fer·en·tial di·ag·no·sis) is a systematic method used by healthcare professionals to identify a disease or condition in a patient. It's based on the presence of particular signs and symptoms. The term "differential" refers to the process of differentiating between two or more conditions that could be causing the patient's symptoms.
Etymology
The term "differential diagnosis" originates from the Greek words "diaphorá" meaning difference, and "diagnosis" meaning understanding or discerning.
Process
The process of differential diagnosis begins with a patient history and physical examination. The healthcare professional will then list a set of possible conditions that could be causing the patient's symptoms, known as the differential diagnosis. This list is then narrowed down by further medical tests, such as laboratory tests, imaging studies, or other diagnostic procedures. The most likely condition is then determined based on the results of these tests.
Related terms
- Diagnosis: The identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon.
- Prognosis: The likely course of a disease or ailment.
- Symptom: A physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disease.
- Sign: Objective evidence of disease especially as observed and interpreted by the physician rather than by the patient or lay observer.
- Medical history: Information gained by a physician by asking specific questions, either of the patient or of other people who know the person and can give suitable information.
- Physical examination: Process by which a medical professional investigates the body of a patient for signs of disease.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Differential diagnosis
- Wikipedia's article - Differential diagnosis
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