[The diagnosis artifice]

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2016 Mar-Apr;54(2):140-1.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

The clinical diagnosis is considered the cornerstone in the decisions making process, since it has various functions, including the executive. However, the diagnosis is not only a goal by itself, but a mean to help patients. It is not enough to identify how the disease which ails the patient is called; the diagnosis must be individualized as much as possible in each case, for the mere mention of the diagnosis can mean a wide variety of problems.

El diagnóstico clínico se ha considerado la piedra angular en las decisiones, dado que tiene diversas funciones, entre ellas la ejecutiva. No obstante, el diagnóstico no es un fin sino un medio, ciertamente artificioso, para poder ayudar a los pacientes. No basta identificar cómo se llama la enfermedad que aqueja al enfermo, sino que hay que individualizar lo más posible a cada caso, pues la sola mención del diagnóstico puede significar una amplia variedad de problemas.

Keywords: Clinical diagnosis; Medical education; Medical ethics; Patients.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis*
  • Ethics, Medical*
  • Humans