ABSTRACT

The problem-oriented approach to clinical practice is largely a process of information gathering. The astute practitioner will progress from patient signalment (i.e., species, age, gender, reproductive status) to current and past medical histories, through complete physical examination and minimum data collection, to special studies. Along the way, the practitioner gathers enough information to reach an accurate diagnosis and formulate an effective treatment plan. Following is a series of eloquent quotes on the value and contribution of diagnostic imaging (taken from the Mayo Biomedical Imaging Resource Analyze® software Web page and printed here with permission) by Dr. R. A. Robb.