Study on relative values of history physical examination and investigations in final diagnosis of medicial in patients in Mandalay General Hospital

ABSTRACT

A study was done on 84 newly admitted medical cases, at Mandalay General Hospital from 3.8.76 to 3.9.76. In 71 (88.7 per cent) out of 84 patients, the diagnosis after history taking was the same as that of the Final Diagnosis. In 66(82.5 per cent), the "diagnosis made after history alone was not changed after the completion of physical examination. In only 5 cases was the diagnosis changed after physical examination. 266 investigations were done in 84 cases. 84.89 per cent of the test done were found to be abnormal. Thus, (1) history alone can give a diagnosis accurate enough to stand confirmation by investigations in 88.7 per cent of cases usually reinforced by physical examination after which the accuracy rate went up to 93.8 per cent and (2) help given by investigations in arriving at Final Diagnosis is negligible.