What is a diagnosis?

We explain what diagnosis means and in what areas this term is used. Medical, social, business, differential diagnosis and more.

1. What is a diagnosis?

The diagnosis is an orderly, systematic procedure to know, to clearly establish a circumstance , based on specific observations and data . The diagnosis always involves an evaluation, with assessment of actions in relation to objectives . The term includes in its root the Greek word ‘ gnosis ‘, which means knowledge.

Andrade de Souza’s definition of diagnosis: «A method of knowledge and analysis of the performance of a company or institution, internally and externally, so that it can facilitate decision-making «.

The realization of an adequate diagnosis requires from whom it will perform certain skills or competences , among which we can cite theoretical knowledge in the subject, logical reasoning, concentration, experience and a great ability to observe objectively, and to relate different data.

The medical diagnosis is the most common and best known use of the term , in which in front of a person who shows certain symptoms (for example, fever, cough, sneezing, chills), the doctor must determine what may be the cause that produces such symptom. That is, you must diagnose (that is, identify) the disease based on current symptoms, medical history and, in some cases, complementary tests (x-rays, blood tests, etc.).

From this basic use, the use of the term has been extrapolated to other areas , although in all cases the central idea of ​​”systematic procedure that identifies a problem” is maintained. For example, it may be necessary to make a diagnosis as to why a company is not doing well, why there is dropout in a given place, why a given university graduates few students, why people change medical prepaid , etc.

2. Other types of diagnosis

Other specific cases of diagnosis will be mentioned below:

• Psychodiagnostic  It refers to the process carried out by psychologists and psychopedagogues, generally within the framework of educational institutions, to detectpsychological problems that can affect the normal learning of children.
• Differential diagnosis.  Perhaps one of the biggest challenges for medical professionals is to distinguish diseases that present with a very similar clinical and / or laboratory picture; In those cases, doctors must make a differential diagnosis, sometimes supported by a discard procedure.
• Social diagnosis  Sometimes the services of a social worker are requested to assess the family situation of a person ; In that case it is common for the social worker to visit your home, see what comfort you have and what you lack, such as to get an idea of ​​your immediate needs (for example, a subsidy).
• Diagnostic imaging.  It includes all those medical tools that manage to obtain images of the body and through the analysis of these images the diagnosis of diseases or injuries is facilitated. It includes everything from x-rays to CT scans, ultrasound scans, magnetic resonances, etc.