Higher order thinking about differential diagnosis

The perceptions and knowledge of prognosis of physiotherapists in musculoskeletal practice: An exploratory qualitative study

QUESTION(S)

What are the perceptions and knowledge of physiotherapists who treat musculoskeletal disorders towards prognosis?

DESIGN

Exploratory phenomenological study.

PARTICIPANTS

15 physiotherapists involved in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

DATA ANALYSIS

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using inductive coding and thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Four themes were identified. First, participants perception of prognosis was influenced by how they defined prognosis. Participants often perceived that prognosis was the timeline to recovery related to function, tissue health, or pain. Second, some participants could not recall foundational knowledge about prognosis being taught during their entry-level physiotherapy program. Others recalled it being taught in relation to the tissue healing model. Third, participants described learning about prognosis through experience, professional development, or from peers. Finally, participants identified that a potential learning opportunity is to conceptualise prognosis as separate outcomes associated with function, tissue health, and pain. Each can impact upon prognosis, have a prognosis of their own, and can occur simultaneously.

CONCLUSION

How physiotherapists perceive and understand the concept of prognosis is influenced by their foundational knowledge. It appears for physiotherapists, prognosis may be conceptualised within the biomedical model of health. Indeed, physiotherapists may perceive that prognosis is the timeline for recovery determined by the tissue model of healing. Physiotherapists also rely on experiential knowledge gained from clinical practice, professional development, and their peers to enhance learning about prognosis. The understanding of prognosis may be enhanced if physiotherapists conceptualise prognosis in terms of the multifactorial outcomes associated with function, tissue health, and pain.

How long does tendinopathy last if left untreated? Natural history of the main tendinopathies affecting the upper and lower limb: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Natural history of disease refers to the progression of a disease process in an individual over time, in the absence of treatment. Understanding natural history of tendinopathies is key for clinicians to make accurate prognostic predictions and design effective intervention studies.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the natural history of the main tendinopathies regarding pain and function and to compare outcomes between untreated individuals and those receiving treatment.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted until February 2023, across PubMed, Cochrane, Embase and Scopus databases. Selection criteria included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a "wait-and-see" group and cohort studies with ≥3 months of follow-up reporting on pain and function-related outcomes. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) of "wait-and-see" groups were pooled using a random-effects inverse-variance model. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Risk-of-Bias (RoB2), and quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

RESULTS

Six RCTs were included, encompassing 518 subjects with tendinopathy. Pooled results demonstrated significant pain (SMD = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.19-0.41) and physical function improvement (SMD = 0.38, 95%CI: 0.28-0.48). These estimates remained consistent regardless of age or follow-up duration. In rotator cuff tendinopathy, untreated individuals improved but did not fully recover at one year, with similar outcomes to other interventions (e.g., surgery). Subjects with lateral elbow, patellar and achilles tendinopathies when untreated, did not fully resolve symptoms within 12-16 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides limited conclusions about natural history of tendinopathies. Future studies should incorporate true no-intervention groups to accurately reflect tendinopathy's natural progression.

ChatGPT as a Tool for Medical Education and Clinical Decision-Making on the Wards: Case Study

BACKGROUND

Large language models (LLMs) are computational artificial intelligence systems with advanced natural language processing capabilities that have recently been popularized among health care students and educators due to their ability to provide real-time access to a vast amount of medical knowledge. The adoption of LLM technology into medical education and training has varied, and little empirical evidence exists to support its use in clinical teaching environments.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to identify and qualitatively evaluate potential use cases and limitations of LLM technology for real-time ward-based educational contexts.

METHODS

A brief, single-site exploratory evaluation of the publicly available ChatGPT-3.5 (OpenAI) was conducted by implementing the tool into the daily attending rounds of a general internal medicine inpatient service at a large urban academic medical center. ChatGPT was integrated into rounds via both structured and organic use, using the web-based "chatbot" style interface to interact with the LLM through conversational free-text and discrete queries. A qualitative approach using phenomenological inquiry was used to identify key insights related to the use of ChatGPT through analysis of ChatGPT conversation logs and associated shorthand notes from the clinical sessions.

RESULTS

Identified use cases for ChatGPT integration included addressing medical knowledge gaps through discrete medical knowledge inquiries, building differential diagnoses and engaging dual-process thinking, challenging medical axioms, using cognitive aids to support acute care decision-making, and improving complex care management by facilitating conversations with subspecialties. Potential additional uses included engaging in difficult conversations with patients, exploring ethical challenges and general medical ethics teaching, personal continuing medical education resources, developing ward-based teaching tools, supporting and automating clinical documentation, and supporting productivity and task management. LLM biases, misinformation, ethics, and health equity were identified as areas of concern and potential limitations to clinical and training use. A code of conduct on ethical and appropriate use was also developed to guide team usage on the wards.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, ChatGPT offers a novel tool to enhance ward-based learning through rapid information querying, second-order content exploration, and engaged team discussion regarding generated responses. More research is needed to fully understand contexts for educational use, particularly regarding the risks and limitations of the tool in clinical settings and its impacts on trainee development.

Descriptive feedback with targeted education to improve telephonic escalation of care: a simulation-based study

BACKGROUND

Awareness of communication failures in healthcare has necessitated the implementation of standardized, validated handover tools such as Identification, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (ISBAR). Although educational sessions improve communication, the effectiveness of individualized care escalation communication training is unknown. The primary aim was to conduct a simulation-based study to assess individualized one-on-one communication training for junior medical doctors for improving care escalation in pediatric emergencies. The secondary aim was to assess the evaluation of the training.

METHODS

The prospective observational study assessed participants pre- and post-intervention. In Session One, participants presented a written case scenario telephonically to two senior pediatricians. Fifty participants were scored using an 18-item checklist based on the ISBAR tool and "free text" responses. Immediately following case presentations, participants completed individualized one-on-one 30-minute educational sessions regarding self-reflection, didactic teaching, and constructive feedback based on the ISBAR. Session Two included a second case presentation and reassessment. We conducted qualitative analysis of supervisor's feedback on performance and trainee doctor's evaluation of the training.

RESULTS

There was significant improvement in 8 of the 18 components of the ISBAR checklist. All elements of care escalation were significantly improved, and overall communication was higher post-intervention (P < 0.001); however, no improvement was noted in participants' explorations of differential diagnoses (P = 0.263). The qualitative analysis identified themes of improved urgency in seeking senior support and conversational clarity from supervisors, and improved intervention quality and self-confidence from participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Individualized communication training may improve pediatric emergency care escalation and communication among junior doctors.

Role of Transvaginal Sonography in the Diagnosis of Female Infertility: A Comprehensive Review

Female infertility, a complex and emotionally challenging condition, impacts millions of women worldwide. Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for tailoring effective solutions to overcome fertility challenges. Transvaginal sonography, a real-time and non-invasive imaging modality, is pivotal in this diagnostic process. This review focuses on the structural abnormalities of the female reproductive system related to female infertility, particularly highlighting the capabilities of transvaginal sonography in assessing ovulatory disorders, structural anomalies, endometrial conditions, ovarian reserve, and other contributing factors. It is important to note that while transvaginal sonography excels in detecting structural abnormalities, it may not effectively identify lifestyle and hormonal changes. This limitation underscores the necessity for a comprehensive diagnostic approach that includes additional modalities to address the multifaceted nature of female infertility. Despite acknowledging the inherent limitations and operator dependence of transvaginal sonography, we emphasize its significance in guiding clinicians toward well-informed decisions and personalized treatment plans. Looking forward, we anticipate the continual evolution of sonographic technology, offering enhanced diagnostic capabilities. The commitment to improving fertility outcomes for individuals and couples navigating the intricate path toward parenthood remains paramount. In conclusion, a holistic diagnostic approach incorporating various modalities is essential for a thorough understanding and effective management of female infertility.

Clinical reasoning in managing chronic hip pain: One in two Australian and New Zealand physiotherapists diagnosed a case vignette with clinical criteria for hip OA as hip OA. A cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES

Using a case vignette of an adult (George) presenting with hip pain consistent with hip OA, this study aimed to describe: (a) whether physiotherapists make diagnoses and identify bodily structures using either patient history and/or physical examination findings; (b) which diagnoses and bodily structures physiotherapists attribute to the hip pain; (c) how confident physiotherapists were in their clinical reasoning using patient history and physical examination findings; (d) what treatments physiotherapists would offer to George.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of physiotherapists in Australia and New Zealand. We used descriptive statistics to analyse closed questions and content analysis for open-text responses.

RESULTS

Two hundred and twenty physiotherapists completed the survey (39% response-rate). After receiving the patient history, 64% diagnosed George's pain and 49% of these as hip OA; 95% attributed George's pain to a bodily structure(s). After receiving the physical examination, 81% diagnosed George's hip pain and 52% of these as hip OA; 96% attributed George's hip pain to a bodily structure(s). Ninety-six percent of respondents were at least somewhat confident in their diagnosis after the patient history, and 95% were similarly confident after the physical examination. Most respondents offered advice (98%) and exercise (99%), but fewer offered treatments for weight loss (31%), medication (11%), and psychosocial factors (<15%).

DISCUSSION

About half of the physiotherapists that diagnosed George's hip pain made a diagnosis of hip OA, despite the case vignette including clinical criteria for a diagnosis of OA. Physiotherapists offered exercise and education, but many physiotherapists did not offer other clinically indicated and recommended treatments, such as weight loss and sleep advice.

IgG N-glycan Signatures as Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers

IgG N-glycans are an emerging source of disease-specific biomarkers. Over the last decade, the continued development of glycomic databases and the evolution of glyco-analytic methods have resulted in increased throughput, resolution, and sensitivity. IgG N-glycans promote adaptive immune responses through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement activation to combat infection or cancer and promote autoimmunity. In addition to the functional assays, researchers are examining the ability of protein-specific glycosylation to serve as biomarkers of disease. This literature review demonstrates that IgG N-glycans can discriminate between healthy controls, autoimmune disease, infectious disease, and cancer with high sensitivity. The literature also indicates that the IgG glycosylation patterns vary across disease state, thereby supporting their role as specific biomarkers. In addition, IgG N-glycans can be collected longitudinally from patients to track treatment responses or predict disease reoccurrence. This review focuses on IgG N-glycan profiles applied as diagnostics, cohort discriminators, and prognostics. Recent successes, remaining challenges, and upcoming approaches are critically discussed.

Battles over 'unruly bodies': Practitioners' interpretations of eating disorders and the utility of psychiatric labelling

Our article offers a critical appraisal of psychiatric medical constructions of eating disorders (EDs) by highlighting the complexity of professional discourses, power plays, claims and counterclaims in ongoing struggles over 'unruly bodies.' Inductive thematic analysis of data from five studies was undertaken, covering thirty semi-structured interviews with UK health-care professionals working in the ED field. Professionals engaged in various struggles over eating disorders, which were compounded by the labelling process itself. Although person-centredness was valued, encounters with ED patients were frequently framed as outstandingly problematic in terms of treatment resistance, with clients' unruliness spurred on by ED competitiveness on social media and in-hospital rivalries. Paradoxically, the labelling of eating disorders created further expectations in terms of achieving specific weight levels and diagnostic labels, reportedly resulting in lay competition over who was sickest, which was mirrored by treatment priorities within an overstretched public health system. Narratives also highlighted interesting tensions between professionals rationalising their work with patients and acknowledging themselves as potentially vulnerable to societal pressures promoting EDs. Arguably, while lay narratives around EDs continue to be framed by authorities as unruly behaviours in deviant individuals, the gap between officially sanctioned and illicit ED discourses will only grow.

A 63-Year-Old Postmenopausal Woman with Uterine Inversion Associated with a Submucosal Geburt Fibroid Successfully Treated by Surgical Reversal Using the Spinelli Procedure

BACKGROUND Reproductive health affects long-term quality of life, including in the elderly. Uterine inversion is common in postpartum women in developing countries and menopausal women are also at risk. CASE REPORT A 65-year-old menopausal woman had 3 children and a history of uterine tumors and curettage. She had received a different diagnosis - a cervical tumor - exactly 3 years ago. She was admitted to a referral hospital for lower abdominal pain, difficulty in defecating, and a mass in the genitals when straining, accompanied by blood clots. There was a 20×20 cm mass protruding from the vagina, and the uterine fundus of the uterus was not palpable. The patient was diagnosed with chronic uterine inversion due to submucous leiomyoma. Management requires the collaboration of multidisciplinary professionals in hospitals. These patients receive therapy to improve their general condition, transfusions, antibiotics, and a hysterectomy plan. The results of the Urogynecology Division showed that a 20×15 cm mass came out of the vagina, with a large necrotic area. The patient was first managed by Spinelli procedure to correct the uterine inversion, followed by an abdominal hysterectomy. Histopathology revealed the final diagnosis as a benign mesenchymal lesion, leiomyoma with myxoid degeneration. CONCLUSIONS Timely diagnosis and management by a multidisciplinary team can help reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with submucosal uterine leiomyoma leading to chronic uterine inversion.

Assessing clinical reasoning ability in fourth-year medical students via an integrative group history-taking with an individual reasoning activity

BACKGROUND

The most important factor in evaluating a physician's competence is strong clinical reasoning ability, leading to correct principal diagnoses. The process of clinical reasoning includes history taking, physical examinations, validating medical records, and determining a final diagnosis. In this study, we designed a teaching activity to evaluate the clinical reasoning competence of fourth-year medical students.

METHODS

We created five patient scenarios for our standardized patients, including hemoptysis, abdominal pain, fever, anemia, and chest pain. A group history-taking with individual reasoning principles was implemented to teach and evaluate students' abilities to take histories, document key information, and arrive at the most likely diagnosis. Residents were trained to act as teachers, and a post-study questionnaire was employed to evaluate the students' satisfaction with the training activity.

RESULTS

A total of 76 students, five teachers, and five standardized patients participated in this clinical reasoning training activity. The average history-taking score was 64%, the average key information number was 7, the average diagnosis number was 1.1, and the average correct diagnosis rate was 38%. Standardized patients presenting with abdominal pain (8.3%) and anemia (18.2%) had the lowest diagnosis rates. The scenario of anemia presented the most difficult challenge for students in history taking (3.5/5) and clinical reasoning (3.5/5). The abdominal pain scenario yielded even worse results (history taking: 2.9/5 and clinical reasoning 2.7/5). We found a correlation in the clinical reasoning process between the correct and incorrect most likely diagnosis groups (group history-taking score, p = 0.045; key information number, p = 0.009 and diagnosis number, p = 0.004). The post-study questionnaire results indicated significant satisfaction with the teaching program (4.7/5) and the quality of teacher feedback (4.9/5).

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that the clinical reasoning skills of fourth-year medical students benefited from this training course, and the lower correction of the most likely diagnosis rate found with abdominal pain, anemia, and fever might be due to a system-based teaching modules in fourth-year medical students; cross-system remedial reasoning auxiliary training is recommended for fourth-year medical students in the future.

Mastering Prognostic Tools: An Opportunity to Enhance Personalized Care and to Optimize Clinical Outcomes in Physical Therapy

In health care, clinical decision making is typically based on diagnostic findings. Rehabilitation clinicians commonly rely on pathoanatomical diagnoses to guide treatment and define prognosis. Targeting prognostic factors is a promising way for rehabilitation clinicians to enhance treatment decision-making processes, personalize rehabilitation approaches, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. This can be achieved by using prognostic tools that provide accurate estimates of the probability of future outcomes for a patient in clinical practice. Most literature reviews of prognostic tools in rehabilitation have focused on prescriptive clinical prediction rules. These studies highlight notable methodological issues and conclude that these tools are neither valid nor useful for clinical practice. This has raised the need to open the scope of research to understand what makes a quality prognostic tool that can be used in clinical practice. Methodological guidance in prognosis research has emerged in the last decade, encompassing exploratory studies on the development of prognosis and prognostic models. Methodological rigor is essential to develop prognostic tools, because only prognostic models developed and validated through a rigorous methodological process should guide clinical decision making. This Perspective argues that rehabilitation clinicians need to master the identification and use of prognostic tools to enhance their capacity to provide personalized rehabilitation. It is time for prognosis research to look for prognostic models that were developed and validated following a comprehensive process before being simplified into suitable tools for clinical practice. New models, or rigorous validation of current models, are needed. The approach discussed in this Perspective offers a promising way to overcome the limitations of most models and provide clinicians with quality tools for personalized rehabilitation approaches.

IMPACT

Prognostic research can be applied to clinical rehabilitation; this Perspective proposes solutions to develop high-quality prognostic models to optimize patient outcomes.

Assessing and disclosing test results for ‘mild cognitive impairment’: the perspective of old age psychiatrists in Scotland

Background

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition that exists between normal healthy ageing and dementia with an uncertain aetiology and prognosis. This uncertainty creates a complex dynamic between the clinicians’ conception of MCI, what is communicated to the individual about their condition, and how the individual responds to the information conveyed to them. The aim of this study was to explore clinicians’ views around the assessment and communication of MCI in memory clinics.

Method

As part of a larger longitudinal study looking at patients’ adjustment to MCI disclosure, we interviewed Old Age Psychiatrists at the five participating sites across Scotland. The study obtained ethics approvals and the interviews (carried out between Nov 2020–Jan 2021) followed a semi-structured schedule focusing on [1] how likely clinicians are to use the term MCI with patients; [2] what tests clinicians rely on and how much utility they see in them; and [3] how clinicians communicate risk of progression to dementia. The interviews were voice recorded and were analysed using reflective thematic analysis.

Results

Initial results show that most clinicians interviewed (Total N = 19) considered MCI to have significant limitations as a diagnostic term. Nevertheless, most clinicians reported using the term MCI (n = 15/19). Clinical history was commonly described as the primary aid in the diagnostic process and also to rule out functional impairment (which was sometimes corroborated by Occupational Therapy assessment). All clinicians reported using the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III as a primary assessment tool. Neuroimaging was frequently found to have minimal usefulness due to the neuroradiological reports being non-specific.

Conclusion

Our study revealed a mixture of approaches to assessing and disclosing test results for MCI. Some clinicians consider the condition as a separate entity among neurodegenerative disorders whereas others find the term unhelpful due to its uncertain prognosis. Clinicians report a lack of specific and sensitive assessment methods for identifying the aetiology of MCI in clinical practice. Our study demonstrates a broad range of views and therefore variability in MCI risk disclosure in memory assessment services which may impact the management of individuals with MCI.

Assessing Cranial Nerves in Physical Therapy Practice: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey and Implication for Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Serious pathologies of the neck can potentially result in cranial nerve palsy. Knowledge about cranial nerve examination (CNE) seems sparse, and its use is still unknown. We aim to investigate the knowledge, skills, and utilization of CNE of Italian physiotherapists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An online cross-sectional survey.

RESULTS

396 completed the survey, reaching the required sample size. Although Italian physiotherapists consider CNE relevant (mean ± SD = 7.6/10 ± 2.0), over half of all responders (n = 229 (57.8%)) were not trained in the fundamentals and around a third did not use it in their daily practice (n = 138 (34.8%)). Additionally, participants were unconfident and insecure in conducting (n = 152 (38.4%) and n = 147 (37.1%)), interpreting (n = 140 (35.4%) and n = 164 (41.4%)), and managing the CNE (n = 141 (35.6%) and n = 154 (38.9%)). Possessing a musculoskeletal specialization was associated with an increased value attributed to clinical practice guidelines and reduced the lack of confidence in conducting, interpreting, and managing the CNE (respectively, n = 35 (25.5%), p = 0.0001; n = 32 (23.4%) p = 0.0002; n = 32 (23.4%) p = 0.0002). Working in a direct access setting significantly increased the considered relevance of guidelines and the concerns about arterial (p = 0.004) and other serious pathologies (p = 0.021). Pain and visual disturbances were considered the main indicators to CNE, demonstrating limited knowledge of signs and symptoms' indicating CNE. Participants considered specific training in CNE as relevant (mean ± SD = 7.6/10 = 2.1).

CONCLUSIONS

a substantial proportion of Italian physiotherapists are not schooled in the fundamentals of cranial nerve examination. Given the number of physiotherapists who work in first contact roles, this is a professional concern.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Clusters of Pain Provocation Tests for Detecting Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Systematic Review With Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic test accuracy of pain provocation tests for the sacroiliac joint.

DESIGN

Systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy.

LITERATURE SEARCH

Seven electronic databases and reference lists of included studies and previous reviews were searched.

STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA

Studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of clusters of clinical tests for sacroiliac joint pain were included.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Bivariate random-effects meta-analysis was employed. Risk of bias and applicability concerns were assessed using the revised Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was used to judge credibility of evidence.

RESULTS

From 2195 records identified in the search, 5 studies were included that assessed clusters of pain provocation tests for the sacroiliac joint. The estimated positive likelihood ratio was 2.13 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2, 3.9), the negative likelihood ratio was 0.33 (95% CI: 0.11, 0.72), and the diagnostic odds ratio was 9.01 (95% CI: 1.72, 28.4). The GRADE ratings for the outcomes were of very low certainty. Assuming a point prevalence of sacroiliac joint pain of 20%, we calculated a positive posterior probability of 35% (95% CI: 32%, 37%) and negative posterior probability of 8% (95% CI: 6%, 10%).

CONCLUSION

A positive result on a sacroiliac joint pain provocation test cluster gives the clinician 35% certainty of having correctly identified sacroiliac joint pain. Clusters of pain provocation tests for the sacroiliac joint do not provide sufficient diagnostic accuracy for ruling in the sacroiliac joint as the source of pain. Clinicians can rule out the sacroiliac joint as the source of pain with more confidence: the negative posttest probability indicates that the clinician can conclude with 92% certainty that a negative test result is correct. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2021;51(9):422-431. Epub 1 Jul 2021. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.10469.

An unusual presentation of acute myocardial infarction in physiotherapy direct access: findings from a case report

BACKGROUND

Shoulder pain (SP) may originate from both musculoskeletal and visceral conditions. Physiotherapists (PT) may encounter patients with life-threatening pathologies that mimic musculoskeletal pain such as Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). A trained PT should be able to distinguish between signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal or visceral origin aimed at performing proper medical referral.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 46-y-old male with acute SP lasting from a week was diagnosed with right painful musculoskeletal shoulder syndrome, in two successive examinations by the emergency department physicians. However, after having experienced a shift of the pain on the left side, the patient presented to a PT. The PT recognized the signs and symptoms of visceral pain and referred him to the general practitioner, which identified a cardiac disease. The final diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSION

This case report highlights the importance of a thorough patient screening examination, especially for patients treated in an outpatient setting, which allow distinguishing between signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal from visceral diseases.

The why, where, and how clinical reasoning model for the evaluation and treatment of patients with low back pain

BACKGROUND

There is considerable overlap between pain referral patterns from the lumbar disc, lumbar facets, the sacroiliac joint (SIJ), and the hip. Additionally, sciatic like symptoms may originate from the lumbar spine or secondary to extra-spinal sources such as deep gluteal syndrome (GPS). Given that there are several overlapping potential anatomic sources of symptoms that may be synchronous in patients who have low back pain (LBP), it may not be realistic that a linear deductive approach can be used to establish a diagnosis and direct treatment in this group of patients.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this theoretical clinical reasoning model is to provide a framework to help clinicians integrate linear and non-linear clinical reasoning approaches to minimize clinical reasoning errors related to logically fallacious thinking and cognitive biases.

METHODS

This masterclass proposes a hypothesis-driven and probabilistic approach that uses clinical reasoning for managing LBP that seeks to eliminate the challenges related to using any single diagnostic paradigm.

CONCLUSIONS

This model integrates the why (mechanism of primary symptoms), where (location of the primary driver of symptoms), and how (impact of mechanical input and how it may or may not modulate the patient's primary complaint). The integration of these components individually, in serial, or simultaneously may help to develop clinical reasoning through reflection on and in action. A better understanding of what these concepts are and how they are related through the proposed model may help to improve the clinical conversation, academic application of clinical reasoning, and clinical outcomes.