As a neonatologist, Dr. Enrique Ostrea admits he is not as well versed on many adult medical conditions. But he need not be an expert to know his brother’s arm – all red and swollen – was not because of gout, which an internist had diagnosed.
The attending physician prescribed medication for gout but in the follow-up consultation, was surprised because there was no improvement in the affected area. This even prompted the doctor to declare the gout was “stubborn”.
A visual examination by Dr. Ostrea suggested his brother had cellulitis and needed antibiotics to treat the infection. The US-based physician-researcher knew enough about gout to say that it usually targeted the wrist or elbow but not the forearm.
Ask the right questions
Misdiagnosis is not uncommon given that many of the younger physicians today don’t conduct thorough examinations of their …show more content…
In medical school, Dr. Ostrea said, they were taught that when examining a patient, there are three techniques: palpation, percussion and auscultation.
This means touching a patient to feel for bumps, bruises, textures growths or abnormalities in organs or body parts and listening to unusual sounds inside and outside a patient’s body. These can be performed either with just the fingers or hands or with the aid of a stethoscope.
Laboratory tests are for validating initial diagnosis and to gauge how severe a medical condition is, Dr. Ostrea explained. A differential diagnosis may be necessary in order to distinguish what condition a patient is suffering from if symptoms are similar to other disorders.
A doctor should establish a balance between manual physical examination and laboratory or procedural testing when treating a patient. What is important is not to miss something that could lead to a different diagnosis and ultimately the proper treatment, the esteemed physician
The attending physician prescribed medication for gout but in the follow-up consultation, was surprised because there was no improvement in the affected area. This even prompted the doctor to declare the gout was “stubborn”.
A visual examination by Dr. Ostrea suggested his brother had cellulitis and needed antibiotics to treat the infection. The US-based physician-researcher knew enough about gout to say that it usually targeted the wrist or elbow but not the forearm.
Ask the right questions
Misdiagnosis is not uncommon given that many of the younger physicians today don’t conduct thorough examinations of their …show more content…
In medical school, Dr. Ostrea said, they were taught that when examining a patient, there are three techniques: palpation, percussion and auscultation.
This means touching a patient to feel for bumps, bruises, textures growths or abnormalities in organs or body parts and listening to unusual sounds inside and outside a patient’s body. These can be performed either with just the fingers or hands or with the aid of a stethoscope.
Laboratory tests are for validating initial diagnosis and to gauge how severe a medical condition is, Dr. Ostrea explained. A differential diagnosis may be necessary in order to distinguish what condition a patient is suffering from if symptoms are similar to other disorders.
A doctor should establish a balance between manual physical examination and laboratory or procedural testing when treating a patient. What is important is not to miss something that could lead to a different diagnosis and ultimately the proper treatment, the esteemed physician