How Many Diagnosable Diseases Did I Miss Today?

Abstract

Having just returned to India after completing clinical electives in the United States, I was posted at a densely populated urban clinic. To deal with the large volume of patients, doctors often resorted to treating them symptomatically instead of searching for an underlying diagnosis, therefore minimizing the time spent with each of them. This clinic was where I met a patient presenting with undiagnosed dizziness for one and a half years. Deciding to take the time to perform one additional physical test, I was able to diagnose and help her, and thus experience a newfound joy. I argue that if doctors are a little more attentive to their patients' symptoms, they can capitalize on the benefits of the Indian medical system and impact many additional lives.