Diagnosis A Guide for Medical Trainees

Diagnosis is a practically-oriented guide to the complex reasoning, observations, and judgment that health professionals draw on to make a clinical diagnosis. Built on the cornerstone of the patient-physician relationship, this volume combines rigorous yet accessible conceptual analysis with actionable strategies for navigating uncertainty, making effective use of diagnostic tests, and understanding the economic, interpersonal, and ethical considerations influencing diagnosis. Across six chapters, Ashley Graham Kennedy tackles such thorny issues as overdiagnosis, underdiagnosis, and new complications from the Covid-19 pandemic, supplemented by carefully chosen medical case studies. In so doing, she demonstrates that even "ordinary" cases require a delicate balance of medical and ethical considerations in order to promote the patient's physical and mental well-being. Ultimately, this volume demonstrates that clinical diagnosis is not just about acquiring knowledge but also facilitating the health of the people it serves. With clarity and compassion, Diagnosis illuminates the ethical and philosophical underpinnings of the diagnostic process for the medical practitioner.

Ashley Graham Kennedy, PhD, is Associate Professor of Philosophy in the Honors College of Florida Atlantic University. Her research focuses on applied issues in medicine, science, and global justice.