Diagnosis In Physical Therapy: Insights From Medicine And Cognitive Science

Abstract

This review focuses upon diagnosis, an example of human problem-solving, identifiable in many different fields. Generally, diagnosis involves inferences that are made about the cause(s) of alterations in normal function. In medicine, diagnosis is an important stage in the planning and implementation of treatment programmes. Research on medical diagnostic reasoning has suggested the hypothetico-deductive and pattern recognition models of reasoning. Advances in computer technology have led to research into expertise in order to construct computer programmes capable of problem-solving. Such research identifies the content and representation of the expert's knowledge as key to expertise. However, less emphasis on the diagnostic stage is identifiable in physical therapy. It is therefore suggested that work from other related fields may help advance knowledge and understanding of clinical reasoning in physical therapy. Such insights should support improvements in the planning and delivery of appropriate treatment programmes.