Making a diagnosis Flashcards
(9 cards)
What is necessary to make a valid diagnosis?
Enough information should be provided.
The amount of information disclosed can vary based on several factors, including the practitioner’s gender.
What factors can affect the amount of information a patient provides during diagnosis?
- Patients may not know how to describe symptoms
- Patients may look online and provide misleading information
- Some patients may be worried and understate their symptoms
- A complaint may be made due to mistakes or asking for unnecessary tests
These factors can lead to miscommunication and affect diagnosis accuracy.
What are the two main types of doctor errors in diagnosing?
- False positive
- False negative
These errors can significantly impact patient care and treatment outcomes.
What is a false positive diagnosis?
When a doctor diagnoses a patient as being ill, but they are actually healthy.
This can lead to unnecessary medication and trust issues.
What is a false negative diagnosis?
When a doctor diagnoses a patient as being healthy, but they actually have a medical condition.
This type of error can be more severe and may lead to undetected physical or psychological issues.
How does a doctor’s demeanor affect patient understanding of a diagnosis?
The mood and demeanor of the practitioner can significantly influence how a patient understands the diagnosis.
If the doctor appears calm and unconcerned, it can reduce patient stress.
What is the typical time frame a doctor has to make a diagnosis?
5-20 minutes.
This limited time can contribute to diagnostic errors.
Fill in the blank: A false positive can cause _______.
unnecessary medication.
This can lead to a lack of trust in the healthcare system.
True or False: Research shows that the specific words used by a doctor are more important than the overall meaning and mood when conveying a diagnosis.
False.
The meaning and mood of the practitioner are more significant in how the patient understands the diagnosis.
