What Doctors Do
It doesn't matter whether you are talking to your family doctor or a specialist; all doctors go about their business in the same way:
Step 1: Diagnosis (die - UG -no - sis). Small problems, such as the common cold, are easily diagnosed from visible symptoms. At other times figuring out what is causing the problem involves blood tests, X-rays and other tests.
Step 2: Deciding on treatment: As there are lots of treatments available, and every patient is unique, deciding what is the best way to treat the problem requires a lot of skill.
Step 3: Prognosis (PROG - no - sis): Your doctor will forecast what you can expect to happen next. This involves explaining how your disease usually works, how the treatment actually works, what side effects there may be, and how long it will take you to recover.
Hippocrates
(ca. 460 BC-ca. 370 BC)