Editor, Editors, USER, admin, Bureaucrats, Check users, dev, editor, founder, Interface administrators, oversight, Suppressors, Administrators, translator
10,784
edits
Difference between revisions of "Logic of medical language"
no edit summary
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
== Abstract == | == Abstract == | ||
[[File:Atm1 sclerodermia.jpg|left|300px]] | [[File:Atm1 sclerodermia.jpg|left|300px]] | ||
The document explores the complexities of medical terminology, emphasizing the importance of logic in interpreting medical terms to prevent misdiagnosis and improve healthcare outcomes. It discusses the ambiguous nature of medical language and its impact on diagnostic accuracy, using a clinical case study as a focal point. | |||
Medical language combines technical terminology with natural language, creating potential | Medical language combines technical terminology with natural language, creating potential ambiguity. This mix can lead to varied interpretations of medical conditions, affecting diagnostic decisions. The document highlights the need for adopting formal logic in interpreting medical terms to mitigate these challenges, emphasizing the significance of context and the practitioner's intent. | ||
The hypothetical case of Mary Poppins illustrates the practical challenges in medical diagnosis due to language ambiguity. Over a decade, Mary received diverse diagnoses from different | The hypothetical case of Mary Poppins illustrates the practical challenges in medical diagnosis due to language ambiguity. Over a decade, Mary received diverse diagnoses from different specialists for her symptoms, including orofacial pain. This case demonstrates how the same symptoms can be interpreted differently by various specialists, leading to conflicting diagnoses and treatment plans. | ||
The concept of "encrypted machine language" | The concept of "encrypted machine language" describes the complex communication between the human brain and medical professionals, akin to computer cryptography. This analogy highlights the potential misinterpretation of medical signals, resulting in incorrect diagnoses. The document argues for a paradigm shift in medical diagnosis from focusing on symptoms to interpreting this "encrypted machine language." | ||
It delves into the semantic complexities of medical terminology, showing how meanings can change based on context and the interpreter’s intention. A more precise interpretation of medical terms is advocated to enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce errors caused by ambiguous language. | |||
The | The document proposes applying various forms of logic—classical, probabilistic, fuzzy, and system logic—to medical language, especially in clinical contexts, aiming to enhance clarity and accuracy in diagnoses. | ||
In conclusion, the document calls for a shift from symptom-focused diagnostics to a system that better understands and interprets the complex "encrypted machine language" of human biology, leading to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatments, thus improving overall healthcare quality. It advocates ongoing research and training in logical reasoning and medical language semantics. | |||
{{ArtBy| | |||
| autore = Gianni Frisardi | | autore = Gianni Frisardi | ||
| autore2 = Riccardo Azzali | | autore2 = Riccardo Azzali | ||
| Line 128: | Line 118: | ||
==Understanding of Medical Terminology== | == Understanding of Medical Terminology== | ||
Exploring what "meaning" actually signifies enters us into a complex and multifaceted territory. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as "what something expresses or represents."<ref>[https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/meaning Cambridge Dictionary online]</ref>However, this explanation, intuitive as it may be, leaves the question open since the understanding of "meaning" remains broad and not universally agreed upon. Various theories, each with their strengths and weaknesses, seek to address this question, leading to heated debates without a definitive answer.<ref>{{cita libro | Exploring what "meaning" actually signifies enters us into a complex and multifaceted territory. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as "what something expresses or represents."<ref>[https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/meaning Cambridge Dictionary online]</ref>However, this explanation, intuitive as it may be, leaves the question open since the understanding of "meaning" remains broad and not universally agreed upon. Various theories, each with their strengths and weaknesses, seek to address this question, leading to heated debates without a definitive answer.<ref>{{cita libro | ||
| Line 183: | Line 173: | ||
*The increase in mechanical and sensory perception threshold follows the activation of C fibers. | *The increase in mechanical and sensory perception threshold follows the activation of C fibers. | ||
*In cases of atypical odontalgia, somatosensory abnormalities such as allodynia, decreased mechanical perception, and reduced pain modulation emerge. | *In cases of atypical odontalgia, somatosensory abnormalities such as allodynia, decreased mechanical perception, and reduced pain modulation emerge. | ||
* After the insertion of an implant, no significant somatosensory alterations are noted, although mild pain in the affected area is reported. | *After the insertion of an implant, no significant somatosensory alterations are noted, although mild pain in the affected area is reported. | ||
*In general, "pain" has a wide extension and limited intension, but focusing on specific types of pain, we notice that greater intension leads to a reduction in extension. | *In general, "pain" has a wide extension and limited intension, but focusing on specific types of pain, we notice that greater intension leads to a reduction in extension. | ||
| Line 204: | Line 194: | ||
| PMID = 31688325 | | PMID = 31688325 | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
==Ambiguity and Vagueness== | ==Ambiguity and Vagueness into syntactic, semantic and pragmatic medical language == | ||
Beyond the specific language used, the meaning of a medical term is strongly influenced by its originating context, which can lead to phenomena of "ambiguity" or "polysemy." A term is considered ambiguous or polysemic when it has more than one meaning. Linguistics and philosophy have paid considerable attention to these phenomena of ambiguity and vagueness;<ref>{{cita libro | Beyond the specific language used, the meaning of a medical term is strongly influenced by its originating context, which can lead to phenomena of "ambiguity" or "polysemy." A term is considered ambiguous or polysemic when it has more than one meaning. Linguistics and philosophy have paid considerable attention to these phenomena of ambiguity and vagueness;<ref>{{cita libro | ||
| Line 317: | Line 307: | ||
Nothing and everything, as we will see better at the end of the chapters on the logic of medical language; we will then devote time to the concepts of cryptography and decryption. Perhaps we've heard about them in spy movies or in information security, but they are also important in medicine, as you will see. | Nothing and everything, as we will see better at the end of the chapters on the logic of medical language; we will then devote time to the concepts of cryptography and decryption. Perhaps we've heard about them in spy movies or in information security, but they are also important in medicine, as you will see. | ||
==Encryption== | === Encryption=== | ||
Let's take as an example a common encryption and decryption platform. In the following example, we will illustrate the results of an Italian platform, but we could choose any platform, as the conceptual results do not change: | Let's take as an example a common encryption and decryption platform. In the following example, we will illustrate the results of an Italian platform, but we could choose any platform, as the conceptual results do not change: | ||
| Line 330: | Line 320: | ||
Very often, the message remains encrypted at least until the system is damaged to such an extent that signs and clinical symptoms so obvious emerge to facilitate diagnosis. | Very often, the message remains encrypted at least until the system is damaged to such an extent that signs and clinical symptoms so obvious emerge to facilitate diagnosis. | ||
Understanding how encryption works is quite simple (go to the decryption platform, choose and try): | Understanding how encryption works is quite simple (go to the decryption platform, choose and try): | ||
# Choose an encryption key from those selected; | #Choose an encryption key from those selected; | ||
#Type a word; | #Type a word; | ||
# Obtain a code corresponding to the chosen key and the typed word. For example, if we enter the word 'Ephaptic' into the platform's encryption system, we will get an encrypted code in the three different contexts (patient, dentist, and neurologist) that correspond to the three different algorithmic keys indicated by the program; for instance, key A corresponds to the patient's algorithm, key B to the dental context, and key C to the neurological context. | #Obtain a code corresponding to the chosen key and the typed word. For example, if we enter the word 'Ephaptic' into the platform's encryption system, we will get an encrypted code in the three different contexts (patient, dentist, and neurologist) that correspond to the three different algorithmic keys indicated by the program; for instance, key A corresponds to the patient's algorithm, key B to the dental context, and key C to the neurological context. | ||
In the case of the patient, for example, by typing "Ephaptic" and using the A key, the "machine" will return a code like: | In the case of the patient, for example, by typing "Ephaptic" and using the A key, the "machine" will return a code like: | ||
| Line 481: | Line 471: | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
==Decryption== | ===Decryption=== | ||
Now, assuming that the machine language and assembler code are well-structured, let's insert the encrypted message from the Mary Poppins system into the 'Mouth of Truth':<ref>[[:wikipedia:Bocca_della_Verità|<!--132-->Mouth of truth in Wikipedia]]</ref><math>133755457655037A </math> | Now, assuming that the machine language and assembler code are well-structured, let's insert the encrypted message from the Mary Poppins system into the 'Mouth of Truth':<ref>[[:wikipedia:Bocca_della_Verità|<!--132-->Mouth of truth in Wikipedia]]</ref><math>133755457655037A </math> | ||
| Line 535: | Line 525: | ||
{{q2|<!--145-->A System Logic that integrates the sequence of the machine language code|<!--146-->true! we'll get there with a little patience}} | {{q2|<!--145-->A System Logic that integrates the sequence of the machine language code|<!--146-->true! we'll get there with a little patience}} | ||
==Final Considerations == | ==Final Considerations== | ||
The logic of language is not a theme of exclusive interest to philosophers and educators; it concerns a crucial aspect of medicine, namely diagnosis. It's noteworthy that the International Classification of Diseases, in its ninth revision (ICD-9), includes 6,969 disease codes, a number that increases to 12,420 in the tenth revision, ICD-10, as reported by the WHO in 2013.<ref name=":0">{{cite book | The logic of language is not a theme of exclusive interest to philosophers and educators; it concerns a crucial aspect of medicine, namely diagnosis. It's noteworthy that the International Classification of Diseases, in its ninth revision (ICD-9), includes 6,969 disease codes, a number that increases to 12,420 in the tenth revision, ICD-10, as reported by the WHO in 2013.<ref name=":0">{{cite book | ||