DiagnosisPub Date : 2024-02-23eCollection Date: 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1515/dx-2023-0152
Sho Isoda, Taro Shimizu, Tomio Suzuki
{"title":"FRAMED: a framework facilitating insight problem solving.","authors":"Sho Isoda, Taro Shimizu, Tomio Suzuki","doi":"10.1515/dx-2023-0152","DOIUrl":"10.1515/dx-2023-0152","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Insight has been studied as an element of problem solving in the field of cognitive psychology and may play an important role in clinical reasoning. We propose a new strategy based on theories that promote insight that may help generate further diagnostic hypotheses by reviewing the interpretation of a case and an individual's list of differential diagnoses from multiple perspectives: formation (F), re-encoding (R), analogy (A), modification (M), elaboration (E), and deliberation (D) (FRAMED). The FRAMED strategy may help clinicians overcome misinterpretations and cognitive bias by systematically reflecting on previous clinical reasoning processes from multiple perspectives.</p>","PeriodicalId":11273,"journal":{"name":"Diagnosis","volume":" ","pages":"240-243"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139930528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DiagnosisPub Date : 2024-02-23eCollection Date: 2024-05-01DOI: 10.1515/dx-2023-0063
Julia Díaz-Abad, Amalia Aranaz-Murillo, Esteban Mayayo-Sinues, Nila Canchumanya-Huatuco, Verity Schaye
{"title":"Lessons in clinical reasoning - pitfalls, myths, and pearls: shoulder pain as the first and only manifestation of lung cancer.","authors":"Julia Díaz-Abad, Amalia Aranaz-Murillo, Esteban Mayayo-Sinues, Nila Canchumanya-Huatuco, Verity Schaye","doi":"10.1515/dx-2023-0063","DOIUrl":"10.1515/dx-2023-0063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death and poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management. Although muscle metastases are exceedingly rare and typically not the initial clinical manifestation of neoplastic processes, their recognition is crucial for optimal patient care.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>We present a case report in which we identify the unique scenario of a 60-year-old man with shoulder pain and a deltoid muscle mass, initially suggestive of an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. However, further investigations, including radiological findings and muscle biopsy, revealed an unexpected primary lung adenocarcinoma. We performed a systematic literature search to identify the incidence of SMM and reflect on how to improve and build on better diagnosis for entities as atypical as this. This atypical presentation highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing cognitive biases in clinical decision-making, as acknowledging the possibility of uncommon presentations is vital. By embracing a comprehensive approach that combines imaging studies with histopathological confirmation, healthcare providers can ensure accurate prognoses and appropriate management strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This case serves as a reminder of the need to remain vigilant, open-minded, and aware of cognitive biases when confronted with uncommon clinical presentations, emphasizing the significance of early recognition and prompt evaluation in achieving optimal patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":11273,"journal":{"name":"Diagnosis","volume":" ","pages":"212-217"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139930529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DiagnosisPub Date : 2024-02-23eCollection Date: 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1515/dx-2024-0010
David Chartash, Michael A Bruno
{"title":"Algorithms in medical decision-making and in everyday life: what's the difference?","authors":"David Chartash, Michael A Bruno","doi":"10.1515/dx-2024-0010","DOIUrl":"10.1515/dx-2024-0010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Algorithms are a ubiquitous part of modern life. Despite being a component of medicine since early efforts to deploy computers in medicine, clinicians' resistance to using decision support and use algorithms to address cognitive biases has been limited. This resistance is not just limited to the use of algorithmic clinical decision support, but also evidence and stochastic reasoning and the implications of the forcing function of the electronic medical record. Physician resistance to algorithmic support in clinical decision making is in stark contrast to their general acceptance of algorithmic support in other aspects of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":11273,"journal":{"name":"Diagnosis","volume":" ","pages":"244-249"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139930526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DiagnosisPub Date : 2024-02-21eCollection Date: 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1515/dx-2024-0013
Giuseppe Lippi, Camilla Mattiuzzi, Emmanuel J Favaloro
{"title":"Diagnostic value of D-dimer in differentiating multisystem inflammatory syndrome in Children (MIS-C) from Kawasaki disease: systematic literature review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Giuseppe Lippi, Camilla Mattiuzzi, Emmanuel J Favaloro","doi":"10.1515/dx-2024-0013","DOIUrl":"10.1515/dx-2024-0013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is frequently associated with thrombo inflammation, which can predispose to developing of life-threatening conditions in children such as the multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and Kawasaki disease. Because of the consistent overlap in pathogenesis and symptoms, identifying laboratory tests that may aid in the differential diagnosis of these pathologies becomes crucial. We performed an electronic search in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, without date or language restrictions, to identify all possible studies reporting D-dimer values in separate cohorts of children with MIS-C or Kawasaki disease. Three multicenter cohort studies were included in our analysis, totaling 487 patients (270 with MIS-C and 217 with Kawasaki disease). In this meta-analysis, significantly higher D-dimer values were found in MIS-C compared to Kawasaki disease in all three studies, yielding an SMD of 1.5 (95 % CI, 1.3-1.7) mg/L. Thus, very high D-dimer values early in the course of disease should raise the clinical suspicion of MIS-C rather than Kawasaki disease. Further studies should be planned to identify harmonized D-dimer diagnostic thresholds that may help discriminate these conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":11273,"journal":{"name":"Diagnosis","volume":" ","pages":"231-234"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139905327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DiagnosisPub Date : 2024-02-09eCollection Date: 2024-05-01DOI: 10.1515/dx-2023-0162
Austin Rezigh, Alec Rezigh, Stephanie Sherman
{"title":"Lessons in clinical reasoning - pitfalls, myths, and pearls: a woman brought to a halt.","authors":"Austin Rezigh, Alec Rezigh, Stephanie Sherman","doi":"10.1515/dx-2023-0162","DOIUrl":"10.1515/dx-2023-0162","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Limitations in human cognition commonly result in clinical reasoning failures that can lead to diagnostic errors. A metacognitive structured reflection on what clinical findings fit and/or do not fit with a diagnosis, as well as how discordance of data can help advance the reasoning process, may reduce such errors.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A 60-year-old woman with Hashimoto thyroiditis, diabetes, and generalized anxiety disorder presented with diffuse arthralgias and myalgias. She had been evaluated by physicians of various specialties and undergone multiple modalities of imaging, as well as a electromyography/nerve conduction study (EMG/NCS), leading to diagnoses of fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral plexopathy. Despite treatment for these conditions, she experienced persistent functional decline. The only definitive alleviation of her symptoms identified was in the few days following intra-articular steroid injections for osteoarthritis. On presentation to our institution, she appeared fit with a normal BMI. She was a long-time athlete and had been training consistently until her symptoms began. Prediabetes had been diagnosed the year prior and her A<sub>1c</sub> progressed despite lifestyle modifications and 10 pounds of intentional weight loss. She reported fatigue, intermittent nausea without emesis, and reduced appetite. Examination revealed intact strength and range of motion in both the shoulders and hips, though testing elicited pain. She had symmetric hyperreflexia as well as a slowed, rigid gait. Autoantibody testing revealed strongly positive serum GAD-65 antibodies which were confirmed in the CSF. A diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome was made. She had an incomplete response to first-line therapy with high-dose benzodiazepines. IVIg was initiated with excellent response and symptom resolution.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Through integrated commentary on the diagnostic reasoning process from clinical reasoning experts, this case underscores the importance of frequent assessment of fit along with explicit explanation of dissonant features in order to avoid misdiagnosis and halt diagnostic inertia. A fishbone diagram is provided to visually demonstrate the major factors that contributed to the diagnostic error. The case discussant demonstrates the power of iterative reasoning, case progression without commitment to a single diagnosis, and the dangers of both explicit and implicit bias. Finally, this case provides clinical teaching points in addition to a pitfall, myth, and pearl specific to overcoming diagnostic inertia.</p>","PeriodicalId":11273,"journal":{"name":"Diagnosis","volume":" ","pages":"205-211"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139702073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DiagnosisPub Date : 2024-02-06eCollection Date: 2024-05-01DOI: 10.1515/dx-2023-0135
Leela Chockalingam, Angela Keniston, Lauren McBeth, Marina Mutter
{"title":"A patient follow-up intervention to improve medical decision making at an internal medicine residency program.","authors":"Leela Chockalingam, Angela Keniston, Lauren McBeth, Marina Mutter","doi":"10.1515/dx-2023-0135","DOIUrl":"10.1515/dx-2023-0135","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Practice-based learning and improvement (PBLI) is an ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) core competency. Learning and reflecting on patients through follow-up is one method to help achieve this competency. We therefore designed a study evaluating a structured patient follow-up intervention for senior internal medicine (IM) residents at the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Trainees completed structured reflections after performing chart review of prior patients during protected educational time. Two-month follow-up surveys evaluated the exercise's potential influence on clinical and reflective practices.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty out of 108 (37 %) eligible residents participated in the exercise. Despite 62.5 % of participants lacking specific questions about patient outcomes before chart review, 81.2 % found the exercise at least moderately helpful. 48.4 % of participants believed that the review would change their practice, and 60.9 % felt it reinforced their existing clinical practices. In our qualitative data, residents learned lessons related to challenging clinical decisions, improving transitions of care, the significance of early goals of care conversations, and diagnostic errors/strategies.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results indicate that IM residents found a structured patient follow-up intervention educational, even when they lacked specific patient outcomes questions. Our results underscore the importance of structured self-reflection in the continuous learning process of trainees and suggest the benefit of dedicated educational time for this process.</p>","PeriodicalId":11273,"journal":{"name":"Diagnosis","volume":" ","pages":"142-150"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139680888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring synthesis as a vital cognitive skill in complex clinical diagnosis.","authors":"Dilushi Wijayaratne, Praveen Weeratunga, Saroj Jayasinghe","doi":"10.1515/dx-2023-0139","DOIUrl":"10.1515/dx-2023-0139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Clinicians employ two main cognitive approaches for diagnoses, depending on their expertise. Novices typically use linear hypothetico-deductive methods, while experts rely more on intuitive pattern recognition. These closely correspond to System 1 and System 2 thinking described in behavioral economics. We propose that complex cases additionally require the cognitive skill of synthesis, to visualize and understand the connections between various elements. To illustrate the concept, we describe a 60-year-old individual with a 6 h history of chest pain, fever, cough, accompanying chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, COPD, thyrotoxicosis, and ischemic heart disease. Faced with such a scenario, a bedside approach adapted by clinicians is to generate a list of individual diagnoses or pathways of pathogenesis, and address them individually. For example, this cluster could include: smoking causing COPD, IHD leading to chest pain and heart failure, and thyrotoxicosis causing atrial fibrillation (AF). However, other interconnections across pathways could be considered: smoking contributing to IHD; COPD exacerbating heart failure; IHD and pneumonia triggering atrial fibrillation; thyrotoxicosis and AF, independently worsening heart failure; COPD causing hypoxemia and worsening ventricular function. The second cluster of explanation offers a richer network of relationships and connections across disorders and pathways of pathogenesis. This cognitive process of creatively identifying these relationships is synthesis, described in Bloom's taxonomy of the cognitive domain. It is a crucial skill required for visualizing a comprehensive and holistic view of a patient. The concept of synthesis as a cognitive skill in clinical reasoning warrants further exploration.</p>","PeriodicalId":11273,"journal":{"name":"Diagnosis","volume":" ","pages":"121-124"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139641820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DiagnosisPub Date : 2024-01-30eCollection Date: 2024-05-01DOI: 10.1515/dx-2023-0177
{"title":"The Future of Diagnosis: Achieving Excellence and Equity.","authors":"","doi":"10.1515/dx-2023-0177","DOIUrl":"10.1515/dx-2023-0177","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11273,"journal":{"name":"Diagnosis","volume":" ","pages":"A1-A94"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139570204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
DiagnosisPub Date : 2024-01-30eCollection Date: 2024-05-01DOI: 10.1515/dx-2023-0133
Daniel J Morgan, Laura Scherer, Lisa Pineles, Jon Baghdadi, Larry Magder, Kerri Thom, Christina Koch, Nick Wilkins, Mike LeGrand, Deborah Stevens, Renee Walker, Beth Shirrell, Anthony D Harris, Deborah Korenstein
{"title":"Game-based learning to improve diagnostic accuracy: a pilot randomized-controlled trial.","authors":"Daniel J Morgan, Laura Scherer, Lisa Pineles, Jon Baghdadi, Larry Magder, Kerri Thom, Christina Koch, Nick Wilkins, Mike LeGrand, Deborah Stevens, Renee Walker, Beth Shirrell, Anthony D Harris, Deborah Korenstein","doi":"10.1515/dx-2023-0133","DOIUrl":"10.1515/dx-2023-0133","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Perform a pilot study of online game-based learning (GBL) using natural frequencies and feedback to teach diagnostic reasoning.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a multicenter randomized-controlled trial of computer-based training. We enrolled medical students, residents, practicing physicians and nurse practitioners. The intervention was a 45 min online GBL training vs. control education with a primary outcome of score on a scale of diagnostic accuracy (composed of 10 realistic case vignettes, requesting estimates of probability of disease after a test result, 0-100 points total).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 90 participants there were 30 students, 30 residents and 30 practicing clinicians. Of these 62 % (56/90) were female and 52 % (47/90) were white. Sixty were randomized to GBL intervention and 30 to control. The primary outcome of diagnostic accuracy immediately after training was better in GBL (mean accuracy score 59.4) vs. control (37.6), p=0.0005. The GBL group was then split evenly (30, 30) into no further intervention or weekly emails with case studies. Both GBL groups performed better than control at one-month and some continued effect at three-month follow up. Scores at one-month GBL (59.2) GBL plus emails (54.2) vs. control (33.9), p=0.024; three-months GBL (56.2), GBL plus emails (42.9) vs. control (35.1), p=0.076. Most participants would recommend GBL to colleagues (73 %), believed it was enjoyable (92 %) and believed it improves test interpretation (95 %).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this pilot study, a single session with GBL nearly doubled score on a scale of diagnostic accuracy in medical trainees and practicing clinicians. The impact of GBL persisted after three months.</p>","PeriodicalId":11273,"journal":{"name":"Diagnosis","volume":" ","pages":"136-141"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11075046/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139570198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}