Diagnostician

A diagnostician is a specialist who makes a diagnosis. The specialization is quite young, it is only a few decades old, but doctors have been making diagnoses for a long time, based on the simplest research methods: listening, palpating, tapping, etc.

The familiar general practitioner is also a diagnostician, but over time, new research methods have appeared in medicine - X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, electrocardiography, etc. With the advent of new diagnostic devices, there was a need to identify a new narrow specialty - a diagnostician, who, with the help of certain devices, is able to identify important information about the condition and functioning of internal organs and make the correct diagnosis. Each doctor must make a diagnosis before prescribing treatment, however, there are situations when there are difficulties with determining the diagnosis and then an additional examination is required, which is carried out by a diagnostician.

Who is a diagnostician?

The diagnostician studies all internal organs and systems of a person and, based on the data obtained, determines the correct diagnosis for the patient. Based on the diagnosis, further treatment is carried out by the attending physician of a narrow specialization. Distribution of duties in this way allows for more efficient use of the time of medical workers and effective and timely treatment.

Currently, a diagnostician is already a separate specialty in medicine, although determining a diagnosis before starting treatment is the responsibility of each specialist. As a rule, a therapist (or another specialist) determines the diagnosis of a general disease, but if difficulties or suspicions arise, the patient is sent for additional examination to a diagnostician.

When should you see a diagnostician?

Currently, diagnostic capabilities are quite diverse. Today, it is possible to do not only X-rays and biochemical composition of blood or urine, but also to conduct a diagnostic operation, the purpose of which is to examine internal organs using special devices. Often, such operations are carried out by mid-level medical personnel, and the results of the study are sent to a specialist doctor, who makes the appropriate conclusions.

A consultation with a specialist such as a diagnostician may be required in cases where the attending physician has difficulty making a diagnosis and recommends undergoing additional examination. You can also contact a diagnostician independently, i.e. without a referral from another specialist, if you feel weak, generally unwell, or have pain in certain organs or parts of the body. You can also undergo a full diagnostic examination for preventive purposes, to prevent the development of serious diseases or to identify any pathologies at early stages (especially if there are factors predisposing to this: harmful working conditions, heredity, etc.).

What tests should be taken when visiting a diagnostician?

A diagnostician pays great attention to analyses, which are of invaluable help in his work, since they can tell a lot about the work and condition of the body.

In modern medicine, various (physical, microscopic, chemical) studies of urine, feces, and blood in laboratory conditions are widely used. Other materials obtained by puncture or biopsy from various organs and tissues (liver, bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, etc.) are also examined.

Of no small importance for the diagnostician are research methods using serum, which help to find various pathogenic microorganisms.

In respiratory diseases, sputum is usually taken for analysis to detect infections or malignant tumors. The study of this fluid is the most effective method to determine the presence of bacteria in the body.

When examining blood, in addition to the total number of platelets, leukocytes, and erythrocytes, the number of each type of leukocyte, hemoglobin, and the shape of erythrocytes are determined.

There are a large number of blood tests, each of which is necessary to determine the condition of a particular organ (system). For example, the creatine phosphokinase fraction appears in the blood if the activity of the heart muscle is disrupted, if the fraction level is elevated, this may indicate myocardial infarction.

Hematocymer helps to determine various types of anemia. This is a special device that measures the level of red blood cells. In diagnostics, a blood test for the presence of antibodies is quite an important analysis, which allows for an accurate diagnosis in case of infections.

Usually, blood for analysis is taken from a vein or from a finger, but other methods are often required, for example, cardiac catheterization, when a special catheter is inserted into the organ through a vein (artery) and advanced into the heart chambers or main vessels. Such analysis allows determining the content of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

What diagnostic methods does the diagnostician use?

The diagnostician, first of all, interviews the patient, which helps him to determine the general picture of the person's condition. During the interview, the doctor identifies two types of symptoms: objective (temperature, pulse, blood pressure, test results and additional examinations) and subjective (sensations experienced by the person). Usually, the doctor finds out when the first symptoms of the disease appeared, how often they recur, whether relatives suffer from the same diseases or symptoms. Standard questions of the diagnostician include questions about nutrition, smoking, alcohol, lifestyle, place of work, etc. All this is important enough for the specialist to form a more complete picture of the patient.

When examining a small child, the doctor starts from the information received from his parents. The doctor may also ask how the pregnancy and birth went, whether there were any complications, at what age the child took his first steps and began to speak. If the parents try to explain the symptoms or have their own opinion about a possible disease, this only complicates the work of the diagnostician. Small children are not able to correctly explain their condition, since it is quite difficult for them to explain where exactly and how it hurts, what it feels like, etc. In this case, the parents should answer the questions asked by the specialist as accurately and completely as possible in order to facilitate an accurate diagnosis.

After the survey, the doctor examines the patient. First of all, an external examination is carried out (condition of the skin, tongue, eyes, throat, tonsils, temperature measurement, etc.). The specialist also measures weight and height (this is especially important for small children, since it allows you to assess the baby's weight gain and height).

Complex cases may have a non-specific course or confusion of symptoms. To identify the disease, use:

• computer tomography, which allows you to get an image of the internal organs. This method is used to examine almost all organs and parts of the body (pancreas, adrenal glands, chest, peritoneum, limbs, heart, etc.). This diagnostic method allows you to identify various diseases: bile duct obstruction, stones in organs, joints, tumors, cysts, abscesses, diseases of the pelvic organs, lungs, digestive system, infectious diseases, cancer;
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is the safest diagnostic method for many people, since it does not use X-rays. MRI allows you to better view certain structures of the spinal cord and brain. Most often, this method is used to detect tumors of the nervous system, for the presence and prevalence of oncology. With the help of MRI, you can detect quite a lot of diseases: tumors, dystrophic, inflammatory, damage to the heart and blood vessels, lymph nodes, peritoneum, chest, parasitic diseases, etc.
• endoscopy, which allows you to view hollow organs using a special device - an endoscope, this method is usually used for mild symptoms. The device allows you to see the organ from the inside and is used not only for diagnostic purposes, but also for the treatment of many diseases. With this method, you can recognize many diseases at early stages, in particular cancer of many organs (stomach, lungs, bladder, etc.). Endoscopy is usually combined with a biopsy (taking a piece of tissue for further laboratory testing), medical procedures (administration of drugs), probing;
• Ultrasound (ultrasound examination) is a widely used method of modern diagnostics. Ultrasound has no contraindications, it can be performed several times throughout the treatment, in addition, if necessary, the examination can be performed several times a day. In case of obesity, flatulence, with existing postoperative scars, the method may be insufficiently informative and difficult to perform. This method allows diagnosing diseases of the abdominal organs, pelvis, kidneys, thyroid gland, mammary glands, blood vessels and heart;
• mammography, which allows to identify breast diseases in women at early stages. This method uses X-rays in low doses. In medicine, a real achievement was the emergence of a computer system for detecting pathological processes in the mammary glands and digital mammography, which are more informative for a specialist.

What does a diagnostician do?

A diagnostician studies the body to make an accurate diagnosis. To do this, the specialist uses a variety of diagnostic tools. To get an idea of what is happening in the human body, the doctor uses acquired knowledge, experience and medical tools. Also, before diagnosis, the doctor conducts a survey, a visual examination of the patient to determine the clinical signs of the disease and determine in which organs pathological processes are possible, and what diagnostic method is necessary in each specific case.

The doctor's duties include not only diagnosing the patient. Usually, the specialist assesses the severity of the disease, makes predictions about the further development of the disease, suggests effective treatment. If the disease occurs in one organ, then a good specialist only needs a simple examination to give the patient an accurate diagnosis, but it happens that the disease affects several organs or systems, then the doctor prescribes a more detailed comprehensive examination to establish a diagnosis.

What diseases does a diagnostician treat?

The main responsibility of a doctor - a diagnostician - is to diagnose a patient. Usually, further treatment is prescribed by a specialized specialist, who also monitors the recovery process. A good specialist can not only make an accurate diagnosis, but also prescribe effective treatment for the disease. As a rule, a diagnostician is referred when difficulties with the diagnosis arise.

The diagnostician is able to see the picture of the disease as a whole and assess the condition of the internal organs

A diagnostician does not treat any diseases in his usual practice. Such a specialist conducts diagnostics of the human body to determine the reasons for his poor health (when other narrow specialists have proven powerless to make a diagnosis).

Every practicing physician is a diagnostician, because before prescribing treatment, it is necessary to determine the cause of the disease, i.e. make a diagnosis. Each specialist diagnoses a disease in his or her field (ENT - respiratory disease, therapist - internal diseases, surgeon - organ diseases and injuries). If difficulties arise in making a diagnosis, the person is sent for additional examination - X-ray, electrocardiogram, ultrasound, MRI, etc. The diagnostician studies the tests, questions the patient, conducts an examination, etc., after which he or she makes the appropriate conclusions and refers the patient for treatment to a specialist.

Advice from a diagnostician

Just like all other doctors, the diagnostician recommends maintaining a healthy lifestyle: not abusing alcohol, quitting smoking, leading an active lifestyle and eating right.

It is recommended that if any symptoms appear (pain, dizziness, deterioration of health, etc.), you do not delay in contacting a specialist, since the disease, detected at an early stage, in most cases is completely curable.

A diagnostician is a specialist who studies the body and identifies diseases. Using various diagnostic methods, the specialist determines the cause of the disease, makes a diagnosis and then refers the patient to a specialist for treatment. If necessary, the doctor can independently prescribe treatment, advise preventive methods, make predictions about the course of the disease, etc.

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