Diagnosis
A diagnosis is a term used in medicine to describe the result of a patient’s evaluation. It is basically the conclusion that a doctor reaches after reviewing all of the patient’s symptoms and test results. The diagnosis is what guides the doctor’s treatment plan.
There are many different ways that a doctor can reach a diagnosis. He or she may order tests, such as blood work or X-rays, or he or she may refer the patient to a specialist for further evaluation. In some cases, the diagnosis may be obvious based on the symptoms that the patient is experiencing. For example, someone with a fever and a rash might be diagnosed with chickenpox.
Once a diagnosis has been made, the doctor will discuss it with the patient and develop a treatment plan. The goal of treatment is to address the underlying cause of the condition and relieve any symptoms the patient is experiencing.