Our Differentials
the Teams Processes
"differentials" refers to the process of creating a list of possible diagnoses for a patient's symptoms, this list, known as a differential diagnosis, is built by hypothesizing potential diseases, then systematically eliminating them through tests and patient examinations until the correct diagnosis is found. Common conditions that frequently appear on House's differential diagnoses include various cancers, heavy metal poisoning, autoimmune diseases, and infections. Hypothesizing: House and his team would initially brainstorm a wide range of possible diseases that could explain a patient's symptoms. Testing: They would then run various tests to rule out possibilities. These tests often led to new insights and helped refine the differential diagnosis list. Elimination: Based on test results, the team would eliminate certain conditions until they narrowed down the list to the most likely diagnosis. Unconventional thinking: A key element of the show was that House often suggested unusual or rare diseases that were overlooked by others, which is a core part of the differential diagnosis process. Common diseases on the differential diagnosis list Cancer: Various types of cancer were frequently considered, from lung cancer to sarcomas. Heavy metal poisoning: Cases of lead poisoning and other heavy metal toxicities appeared several times. Infections: Conditions like leprosy, anthrax, and various fungal and viral infections were often on the list. Autoimmune diseases: Diseases such as lupus, sarcoidosis, and amyloidosis were common contenders. Toxins and drug-related issues: Propylene glycol toxicity, Vicodin addiction, and other drug-related problems were regular considerations.
