A good diagnosis is essential. A diagnosis will determine the course of treatment. It is not easy to identify a sickness or disease because most illnesses have similar symptoms. A person suffering from Covid-19 infection will have the same symptoms as someone with ordinary flu. It is essential to get the right diagnosis as it forms the foundation of all treatment. All patient treatment, including medicine and surgery, is based on the diagnosis. Correct diagnosis is essential as incorrect diagnosis can result in adverse outcomes. In hospital settings, misdiagnosis is the leading cause of death. Anderson and Abrahamson (2018) state that medical errors are the third most common cause of death in the United States. They account for approximately 251,000 deaths per year. An accurate diagnosis could prevent hospital death from mistakes.
Doctors need to be precise in their diagnosis. This protects them against wasting time and money on incorrect treatments. If a doctor incorrectly diagnoses a patient, they spend a lot of time on the wrong treatment. All parties involved end up paying a lot of money. It takes time away from the physicians. This puts additional pressure on medical institutions, as fewer personnel are required to handle a greater number of patients per day (American Psychiatric Association (2013)). Perhaps the patient is actually the greatest beneficiary. If a diagnosis is correct, the patients can begin treatment immediately. It will result in an accelerated recovery process and positive contributions to society. The clinic must collect all relevant information from patients. A comprehensive evaluation is required before clinicians can make a decision about a patient’s treatment or diagnosis. A comprehensive evaluation can include reviewing a patient’s medical history.