Evaluating Differential Diagnosis Processes in Clinical Practice- Systematic Pattern-Based and Bayesian Approaches
Differential Diagnosis
The differential diagnosis describes a process through which a practitioner differentiates two or several conditions that could explain patients’ symptoms and health problems (Splinter et al., 2018). The doctor establishes a single theory that helps explain what could be causing the symptoms exhibited by the patient, then orders or carries out tests to confirm the established suspected diagnosis and explain a condition. The differential diagnosis process mainly encompasses physical examination and evaluation of a patient’s medical history. The practitioner asks about the patient’s symptoms, previous health complications, lifestyle, and family health history and problems.
The purpose of differential diagnosis is to analyze the prevailing symptoms through various laboratory tests because, in practice, there is no single test that can adequately diagnose a patient’s symptoms. Many health conditions are known to share similar symptoms, and most often, the symptoms are presented in varied forms and ways that necessitate differential diagnosis in practice (Lugović-Mihić et al., 2018). The practitioner, therefore, makes a list of various health conditions that could present the exhibited symptoms by the patient based on their medical history, physical examinations carried out, and diagnostic tests. Differential diagnosis helps narrow down the working diagnosis, guide evaluation, and treatment to rule out critical conditions and facilitate accurate diagnosis.
The steps and processes involved in the differential diagnosis include; evaluating clinical history through an interview, carrying out physical examinations, diagnostic testing, and recommending referrals and consultations (Meyer et al., 2021). Interviewing and evaluating medical history informs the doctor about the patients’ health problems since most diseases run through family history and inform them about future risks. Physical examinations help determine the current health status and facilitate the early intervention of potential health issues; the process, however, faces the challenge of misinterpretation.
Diagnostic testing enhances care provision by protecting patients’ health outcomes and limiting expenditure on unnecessary procedures; however, the procedure is at risk of experiencing misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis, which is distraught and may lead to frustrations after a treatment procedure fails. On the other hand, overdiagnosis may increase treatment costs and can cause harm to patients through overtreatment. There is also a concern over the cost-effectiveness of differential diagnosis, where patients may feel overcharged with unnecessary tests in place of one, yet they have to pay for all the tests. Referrals guarantee that the patient receives the best possible healthcare quality, and consultations enhance care delivery through better management of patients and improvement of key areas or systems for effectiveness. Referrals can, however, be faced with the challenge of delays in completing a referral program and noncompliance.
References
Splinter, K., Adams, D. R., Bacino, C. A., Bellen, H. J., Bernstein, J. A., Cheatle-Jarvela, A. M., … & Ashley, E. A. (2018). Effect of genetic diagnosis on patients with previously undiagnosed disease. New England journal of medicine, 379(22), 2131-2139.
Meyer, A. N., Giardina, T. D., Khawaja, L., & Singh, H. (2021). Patient and clinician experiences of uncertainty in the diagnostic process: Current understanding and future directions. Patient Education and Counseling, 104(11), 2606-2615.
Lugović-Mihić, L., Pilipović, K., Crnarić, I., Šitum, M., & Duvančić, T. (2018). Differential diagnosis of cheilitis–how to classify cheilitis?. Acta Clinica Croatica, 57(2), 342-351.
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Question 
Discuss the differential diagnosis (DD) process. Identify 3 different DD processes used in clinical practice. Describe the risks/benefits of these 3 processes.
Responses to peers should include examples from your clinical setting and case studies from the literature to contribute to the discussion.
Evaluating Differential Diagnosis Processes in Clinical Practice- Systematic Pattern-Based and Bayesian Approaches
It is crucial to appropriately utilize APA 7th ed. All assignments; group work discussions and responses require accurate and appropriate APA citations. It is recommended to use nursing literature, medical literature and ancillary research in other disciplines as necessary. Current citations are required.
When possible, evidence-based literature and primary sources that are up-to-date and desirable are preferred. Works such as WebMD and patient “self-help” resources are not appropriate for graduate discussions.