Impression
Impression (medicine)
Impression (/ɪmˈprɛʃən/) in the field of medicine refers to the initial diagnostic evaluation made by a healthcare professional towards a patient's condition based on preliminary evidence and observation. The term is derived from the Latin word "impressio", meaning "press upon" or "imprint".
Definition
In a medical context, an impression is a clinician's judgment of the potential diagnosis of a patient's condition that is formed after a preliminary assessment. This includes the analysis of the patient's symptoms, medical history, and any performed physical examinations. The impression is often stated in the medical record to guide the plan for further diagnostic procedures or treatments.
Related Terms
- Diagnosis: The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
- Prognosis: The likely course of a disease or ailment.
- Differential diagnosis: The process of differentiating between two or more conditions that share similar signs or symptoms.
- Clinical judgment: The application of a healthcare professional's knowledge and expertise in making a decision about a patient's care.
Etymology
The term impression in the medical context has its roots in the Latin word "impressio", which means "press upon" or "imprint". This reflects the process of a healthcare professional forming an initial understanding or "imprint" of a patient's condition based on the available preliminary evidence and observations.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Impression
- Wikipedia's article - Impression
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