The use of Differential Diagnosis Process In Healthcare

Discuss the differential diagnosis (DD) process. The differential diagnosis process is used to differentiate between disease processes that present with similar signs and symptoms. It systematically identifies or ”differentiates” diagnosis by using a process of elimination. Through this process, the correct diagnosis is more likely to be made. Identify 3 different DD processes used in clinical practice. Describe the risks/benefits of these 3 processes. Chest pain process, it is very broad many issues can cause chest pain. There is wide range of diagnostic tools requiring much processing of information. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Differential Diagnoses, can be drug influenced; positive antinuclear antibody test results can occur. Bleeding disorder Differential Diagnoses, differentiating whether caused by an injury, platelets, or clotting factors.

Healthcare professionals use the differential diagnosis process in order to distinguish between conditions or diseases that have similar clinical presentation through a process of elimination. Every possible cause of a patient’s symptomology is considered a differential diagnosis until it can be rejected based on diagnostic testing or treatment. In order to be done so safely and effectively, it is vital that health care providers collect objective and subjective data from the patient to formulate a list of symptoms and then establish a list of possible diagnosis. Every possible cause is a differential diagnosis until it can be eliminated through treatment of the possible cause or further testing. There are several differential diagnosis processes that are used in clinical practice, each with their own risk and benefits. One DD process is pattern recognition, which relies on the recognition of a grouping of several signs and symptoms that often are seen together in order to make a diagnosis.