When to refocus from diagnosis to treatment can be a difficult decision.
For many patients with lower back pain, anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy alone will make a huge difference and are likely to be the only treatment needed.It’s easy to assume that every doctor’s visit follows the same script: A patient tells the doctor how they feel, the doctor does an exam, then orders labs and reviews data. At the end of the visit, or soon after, the doctor gives the patient a diagnosis, a treatment plan, and their problem is solved.
Patients may perceive that not pursuing a detailed diagnosis means that their doctor isn’t concerned or that something is being missed. For a patient with low back pain, for example, assuming there aren’t any signs that their spinal cord is involved, I may discuss pain management and physical therapy without ordering radiology studies or referral to a surgeon.
This is often a surprise to patients. Some feel having a detailed and specific diagnosis is validating, it may help them educate themselves about their condition or join a support community.
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