Differential Diagnosis

Discuss the differential diagnosis (DD) process. Identify 3 different DD processes used in clinical practice.  In medicine, a differential diagnosis is the distinguishing of a particular disease or condition from others that present similar clinical features. Differential diagnostic procedures are used by physicians and other trained medical professionals to diagnose the specific disease in a patient, or, at least, to eliminate any imminently life-threatening conditions. Often, each individual option of a possible disease is called a differential diagnosis.

Describe the risks/benefits of these 3 processes.

Responses to students should include an example of when the student identifies one of the differential diagnosis processes used in the clinical setting.