Cart before the horse

There is a proper order for diagnosis and treatment discussion. Violate it at your peril.


One thing I am very clear on in my case acceptance course is that you must complete all diagnostic tests and make a firm diagnosis PRIOR to discussing treatment options with the patient.

Recently, I heard about a case where a medical specialist did things out of order. The result was a perfect demonstration of why I have that rule.

Someone I know went to see a medical specialist.

Based on a physical examination and the symptoms the specialist made a diagnosis and recommended some treatment.

But, prior to commencing treatment, the specialist said that they needed to do a few more tests. When the results of the tests came back the specialist had to revise their diagnosis:

“Oops. It’s not what I thought it was.”

How embarrassing!

This embarrassment could have been easily avoided by completing all the diagnostic tests prior to discussing the diagnosis and treatment options.

This is a mistake I’ve often seen dentists make.

They jump to a diagnosis and the later, have to walk it back because the tests did not turn out like they expected.

If a patient wants to know about their diagnosis prior to you completing all your diagnostic tests the correct answer is:

“I’m not sure yet. I’m still working it out.”

Don’t be drawn into discussing what a problem might be until you have completed all your diagnostic tests a firm diagnosis of what the problem actually is.

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