Teaching Differential Diagnosis: Tool Box Techniques.

Abstract

Differential diagnosis is one of the most challenging skills for a new clinician to learn. Typically, students are first exposed to the process of differential diagnosis in problem-based learning sessions. In general, techniques and tools to use in performing this important task are not universally or consistently taught, so successful clinicians learn this process largely from observing other more experienced clinicians. This article presents effective techniques and assignments that can be used to teach the process of differential diagnosis, enabling novice clinicians to become more accurate and proficient diagnosticians earlier on. Rubrics for evaluation and the theory behind these techniques are also provided.