The approach
The diagnostic procedure in medicine often combines different approaches, which are influenced by the context, patient symptoms, clinician expertise, and available diagnostic tools [1]. As illustrated and summarized in the following figure, the diagnostic process begins with gathering patient data, including a medical history and possibly a physical examination. This information is then analyzed for patterns to assist in decision making. The process further refines and confirms initial hypotheses about the condition using the collected data, which leads to the creation of a treatment strategy, the monitoring of patient progress, and the tracking of disease progression.
References
[1]Balogh, E.P.; Miller, B.T.; Ball, J.R. Improving Diagnosis in Health Care; The National Academies Press: Washington, DC, USA, 2015. [Google Scholar]
