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Difference between revisions of "Logic of medical language"
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Furthermore, modern diagnostic processes increasingly rely on machine language and non-verbal signals, especially in the era of digital health technologies. Electrophysiological tests, imaging results, and genetic data are forms of "machine language" that require interpretation by clinicians. While these data streams provide invaluable insights, they also add layers of complexity to the diagnostic process, particularly when combined with vague or ambiguous verbal reports from patients. As such, a clinician must integrate both verbal and non-verbal information to form a holistic understanding of a patient's condition. | Furthermore, modern diagnostic processes increasingly rely on machine language and non-verbal signals, especially in the era of digital health technologies. Electrophysiological tests, imaging results, and genetic data are forms of "machine language" that require interpretation by clinicians. While these data streams provide invaluable insights, they also add layers of complexity to the diagnostic process, particularly when combined with vague or ambiguous verbal reports from patients. As such, a clinician must integrate both verbal and non-verbal information to form a holistic understanding of a patient's condition. | ||
In this chapter, we explored the complexities of medical language and its implications for clinical diagnosis. We also introduced the concept of "'''encrypted machine language''' {{Tooltip|2= | In this chapter, we explored the complexities of medical language and its implications for clinical diagnosis. We also introduced the concept of "'''encrypted machine language''' {{Tooltip|2=Let's consider a patient, Mr. Rossi, who presents with symptoms of facial pain and difficulty chewing. These symptoms can be interpreted in various ways depending on the specialist's expertise: a dentist might consider them indicative of temporomandibular disorder (TMD), while a neurologist could interpret them as neuropathic pain.'''Coding Symptoms:''' Symptoms:<math>S_1</math>: Facial pain and <math>S_2</math>: Difficulty chewing. Diagnoses: <math>D_1</math>: Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) and <math>D_2</math>: Neuropathic Pain (nOP) '''Mathematical Formalism:''' We can formalize the process of decoding symptoms using a conditional probability function. Let’s define <math>P(D | S)</math> as the probability of a diagnosis <math>D</math> given the presence of symptoms <math>S</math>. <math> | ||
P(D | S) = \frac{P(S | D) \cdot P(D)}{P(S)} | |||
</math> where: <math>P(D | S)</math> is the Probability of diagnosis <math>D</math> given symptoms <math>S</math>, <math>P(S|D)</math> is the Probability of observing symptoms <math>S</math> if diagnosis <math>D</math> is true, <math>P(D)</math>: is the Prior probability of diagnosis <math>D</math> and <math>P(S)</math> is the prior probability of observing symptoms <math>S</math>. | |||
''Practical Application:''' Let’s assume that: The dentist estimates <math>P(S | D_1) = 0.8</math> (80% probability of observing symptoms with diagnosis TMD); The neurologist estimates <math>P(S|D_2)= 0.5</math> (50% probability of observing symptoms with diagnosis nOP) and The prior probability of TMD is <math>P(D_1) = 0.3</math> and for nOP is <math>P(D_2) =0.2</math>. Now, we calculate <math>P(S)</math>: <math> P(S) = P(S | D_1) \cdot P(D_1) + P(S | D_2) \cdot P(D_2)</math> | |||
<math>P(S) = 0.8 \cdot 0.3 + 0.5 \cdot 0.2 = 0.24 + 0.1 = 0.34</math> Now we can calculate <math>P(D_1 | S)</math> and <math>P(D_2 | S)</math>: <math> | |||
P(D_1|S) = \frac{P(S | D_1) \cdot P(D_1)}{P(S)} = \frac{0.8 \cdot 0.3}{0.34} \approx 0.706 | |||
</math> and <math>P(D_2 | S) = \frac{P(S | D_2) \cdot P(D_2)}{P(S)} = \frac{0.5 \cdot 0.2}{0.34} \approx 0.294 | |||
</math> '''Interpretation:''' In this example, the probability of a diagnosis for TMD is approximately 70.6%, while for neuropathic pain it is about 29.4%. This demonstrates how symptoms can be "decoded" to arrive at a more accurate diagnosis, highlighting the need to interpret the body's signals within the context of clinical communication and interdisciplinary knowledge. This practical application of the metaphor of encrypted machine language illustrates the complexity of the diagnostic process and the importance of clear and precise communication between patients and healthcare providers.}}" a metaphor for the ways in which the human body communicates information through symptoms and signs that must be decripted. In future chapters, we will delve deeper into the logic of medical language, examining how time, logic, and the concept of assembler codes can be used to improve diagnostic accuracy. These discussions will be crucial in understanding how medical practitioners can mitigate the effects of ambiguity and vagueness in clinical communication, ultimately leading to more precise and effective patient care. | |||
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