Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2007 Sep 13:8:53.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2296-8-53.

The necessary shift from diagnostic to prognostic research

Geert-Jan G J Dinant  1 , Frank F Buntinx, Chris C C Butler
Affiliations

The necessary shift from diagnostic to prognostic research

Geert-Jan G J Dinant et al. BMC Fam Pract. .

Abstract

Background: Do doctors really need to establish an etiological diagnosis each time a patient presents? Or might it often be more effective to treat simply on the basis of symptoms and signs alone, relying on research and on our experience of outcomes for patients who presented in similar ways in the past?

Discussion: At a time of increase health care costs especially in pharmaceuticals and expensive diagnostic tests, this article uses examples from recent research to address this question. Our examples come from general practice, because that is where doctors frequently see patients presenting with a yet undifferentiated disease which is consequently difficult to diagnose. The examples include respiratory tract infections, low back pain and shoulder pain. Finally we discuss the 'something is wrong' feeling.

Summary: We conclude that, in addition to diagnostic research, a renewed focus on prognostic research is needed.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. van der Weijden T, Van Bokhoven MA, Dinant GJ, Van Hasselt CM, Grol RPTM. Understanding laboratory testing in diagnostic uncertainty: a qualitative study in general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 2002;52:974–80. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Glasziou P. The importance of prognostic research. Aust Fam Physician. 2002;31:1. - PubMed
    1. Jones R. Clinical research in primary care needs urgent boost [Letter] BMJ. 2006;332:1036. doi: 10.1136/bmj.332.7548.1036-b. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Rothwell PM. Medical academia is failing patients and clinicians. BMJ. 2006;332:863–64. doi: 10.1136/bmj.332.7546.863. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Brown JB, Stewart M, McWilliam CL. Using patient-centered method to achieve excellence in care for women with breast cancer. Patient Educ Couns. 1999;38:121–29. doi: 10.1016/S0738-3991(99)00059-2. - DOI - PubMed

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources