What does it mean to diagnose?

Diagnosis is the process of identifying a disease or condition by its signs and symptoms. It involves:

- Gathering information: This includes taking a medical history, performing a physical examination, and ordering laboratory tests and imaging studies.

- Reviewing the information: The healthcare provider uses this information to come up with a list of possible diagnoses.

- Narrowing down the diagnoses: The healthcare provider performs additional tests or makes observations to eliminate possibilities one by one until the correct diagnosis is made.

- Confirming the diagnosis: This may involve additional tests or a biopsy.

A correct diagnosis is crucial for guiding treatment.