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Licensed Unlicensed Requires Authentication Published by De Gruyter August 21, 2018

The approach to a diagnostic dilemma

  • Daniel Lichtstein and Gauri Agarwal EMAIL logo
From the journal Diagnosis

Abstract

Diagnostic dilemmas refer to situations in which physicians face a challenging clinical scenario. The goal of our paper is to outline strategies which we have found to be most helpful in the approach to a diagnostic dilemma. We review each strategy and provide illustrative clinical examples. Among the most helpful strategies are performing a thorough history and physical examination (H&P) (including pertinent epidemiological factors and careful medication review), avoidance of non-specific testing and empiric treatment, judicious use of consultants, maintaining an open-mind and humility and ongoing, open communication with your patient.


Corresponding author: Gauri Agarwal, MD, FACP, University of Miami – Medicine, 2500 North Military Trail, Suite 260, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA

  1. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.

  2. Research funding: None declared.

  3. Employment or leadership: None declared.

  4. Honorarium: None declared.

  5. Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.

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Received: 2018-05-29
Accepted: 2018-07-12
Published Online: 2018-08-21
Published in Print: 2018-09-25

©2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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