the professional clinical evaluation of possible causes of an illness.
The distinguishing of a disease or condition from among others that present with similar symptoms
Distinguishing between two or more diseases and conditions with similar symptoms by systematically comparing and contrasting their clinical findings, including physical signs, symptoms, as well as the results of laboratory tests and other appropriate diagnostic procedures.
A process based on evaluation of assessment data for differentiating disorders that may have similar manifestations. For example, an initial state of apathy and demoralization can be caused by alcohol abuse, depression, or dementia.
a list of potential diagnoses based on a patient's symptoms and lab results.
The consideration of which of two or more diseases with similar symptoms manifested by the patient.
Based on analysis of clinical data, the determination of which of two or more disorders with similar symptoms is the disorder that is the primary focus of clinical attention.
A list of the different diseases that can cause your symptoms
a systematic method of diagnosing a disorder (e.g., headache) that lacks unique symptoms or signs
a list of potential diagnoses that may explain a given set of symptoms, from which a more secure diagnosis may be established after further examination
The process of considering the possible causes of the patient's complaint before making a diagnosis.
a method of diagnosis that involves determining from a list of possible diseases which is the probable cause of a patient's symptoms, often by a process of elimination.
The comparison of all possible causes of symptoms, to determine the exact nature of a patient's illness.
The term used by doctors to refer to the various possible causes of a patient’s symptoms.
The determination of which two or more diseases with similar symptoms is the one from which a patient is suffering based on an analysis of the clinical data.
A list of possible diseases that fit the information derived from examination of a patient.
As an exam progresses and more case history is ascertained; as well as possible tests and/or imaging, a doctor usually has several "possible" diagnosis' (DDX) he/she thinks a problem is. The doctor's job is to narrow down the various diagnosis' to an even smaller group of the most likely diagnosis and then finally arrive at the final diagnosis (DX).
Differentiation; making a diagnosis by comparing similar symptoms of two or more diseases.
The clinical evaluation of possible causes of dementia to rule out all other factors before settling on Alzheimer's disease as a diagnosis.
List of possible diagnoses. For example, if a patient was given a general diagnosis of chest pain, but the provider had ordered additional tests to rule out other more specific diagnoses, they would list the differential diagnosis as a way of notating that they are considering several possibilities. Differentials for chest pain may include pneumonia, pleurisy, GERD or cardiac problems. Documenting differential diagnoses helps substantiate higher coding for medical decision-making.
The process physicians use to make a diagnosis. In differential diagnosis the diseases that share the patient's symptoms are systematically compared and contrasted with the clinical findings until an accurate diagnosis is reached.
diagnose by comparison of the condition of the patient to patterns from diseases sharing similarities, based on the examination of the specific clinical condition and on results from additional assays (blood tests, muscle biopsy, EMG...)
In medicine, differential diagnosis (sometimes abbreviated DDx or ΔΔ) is the systematic method physicians use to identify the disease causing a patient's symptoms.