25/01/2022
❗️Let me be more specific❗️
Do you think..as a “Patient” it’s important for you to receive a “specific” diagnosis, or do you care as long as the issue is accurately diagnosed and addressed by your practitioner?
I have recently had this conversation with a number of patients and I think it’s important to consider the following points when addressing this question.
2) Will this impact the patients rehab and recovery process? This is something really important to consider when dealing with someone who has a chronic or longstanding issue, having had little or no response thus far. I’ve personally seen patients come through the clinic doors, and after being given an accurate “specific” diagnoses of their condition and that alone has had such a positive impact on their lives! Also on the flip side.. is telling a patient that they have a degenerative back condition going to have a positive or negative impact on them? This is a very difficult scenario and you have to use your judgment, especially with terminology, as this term is thrown around so loosely, and it can be very daunting and negatively impact the patient and their recovery. So consider this very carefully!
2) Does the patient need or want to hear our physiological or anatomical jargon as long as their issue has been accurately identified and treated appropriately? I’ve seen patients come in with both short and long term conditions, that have no will or want to either understand or hear about the specifics of their issues. They just want to know how they resolve it.
I think it’s important to consider both of these points when “specifically” diagnosing a particular injury or condition. And equally as important to use your experience to gauge the patient, their condition and how a specific diagnosis will impact them both positively and negatively.
