Diagnostic vs. Diagnosis — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Diagnostic is an adjective describing tests, procedures, or tools used to identify a condition or disease. Diagnosis is a noun that refers to the identification itself of a disease or condition based on symptoms and tests.
Difference Between Diagnostic and Diagnosis
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Diagnostic refers to the methods, tests, or tools used in determining a medical condition. These can include blood tests, MRI scans, and other medical procedures. Diagnosis, on the other hand, is the determination or identification of a disease or condition itself, often made by a healthcare professional.
Diagnostic procedures are what healthcare providers use to gather data and information about a patient. This data is then used to make a diagnosis, which is a label for a patient's condition, often confirmed by the results of diagnostic tests.
In everyday language, the term diagnostic might refer to something designed to diagnose or characterize something, such as a 'diagnostic evaluation' in education. Diagnosis in a non-medical setting can refer to identifying the nature or cause of something, like a problem or challenge.
Grammar-wise, "diagnostic" functions as an adjective in sentences, modifying nouns like "test" or "procedure." Diagnosis serves as a noun, often the subject or object in a sentence, as in "The diagnosis was confirmed."
While both terms are closely related and often used in medical contexts, understanding the difference is crucial. Diagnostic pertains to the process or method of identifying a condition, while diagnosis refers to the identification or label of that condition.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Noun
Refers to
Tests/Procedures/Tools
Identification of a Condition
Contexts
Medical and non-medical
Mostly medical, but also non-medical
Function in Sentence
Modifies nouns
Serves as subject or object
Derived From
Greek 'diagnostikos'
Greek 'diagnosis'
Compare with Definitions
Diagnostic
Descriptive of methods used to diagnose.
She specializes in diagnostic imaging.
Diagnosis
The identification of a medical condition or disease.
His diagnosis was Type 2 diabetes.
Diagnostic
Pertaining to the identification of diseases or conditions.
The diagnostic test confirmed the presence of anemia.
Diagnosis
The conclusion reached by medical evaluation.
The diagnosis came after multiple tests.
Diagnostic
Serving to diagnose or identify.
The diagnostic criteria for the condition are very specific.
Diagnosis
The act of identifying a problem or condition.
The mechanic's diagnosis pointed to a faulty engine.
Diagnostic
Characterizing tools used for medical identification.
The diagnostic device is portable and easy to use.
Diagnosis
A healthcare professional's determination of illness.
The doctor provided a diagnosis during the visit.
Diagnostic
Useful in determining a medical issue.
The doctor found the diagnostic procedure to be highly effective.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines, with variations in the use of logic, analytics, and experience, to determine "cause and effect".
Diagnostic
Of, relating to, or used in a diagnosis.
Diagnosis
The act or process of identifying or determining the nature and cause of a disease or injury through evaluation of patient history, examination, and review of laboratory data.
Diagnostic
Serving to identify a particular disease; characteristic.
Diagnosis
The opinion derived from such an evaluation.
Diagnostic
Often diagnostics (used with a sing. verb) The art or practice of medical diagnosis.
Diagnosis
A critical analysis of the nature of something.
Diagnostic
A symptom or a distinguishing feature serving as supporting evidence in a diagnosis.
Diagnosis
The conclusion reached by such analysis.
Diagnostic
An instrument or technique used in medical diagnosis.
Diagnosis
(Biology) A brief description of the distinguishing characteristics of an organism, as for taxonomic classification.
Diagnostic
Of, or relating to diagnosis.
Diagnosis
(medicine) The identification of the nature and cause of an illness.
Diagnostic
(medicine) Characteristic of a particular disease.
Diagnosis
The identification of the nature and cause of something (of any nature).
Diagnostic
Serving to indicate or specify a particular item or thing within a group of similar things.
Diagnosis
(taxonomy) A written description of a species or other taxon serving to distinguish that species from all others; especially a description written and published in Latin.
Diagnostic
(education) Intended to assess a student's preexisting knowledge on the material being taught.
A diagnostic assessment
Diagnosis
Synonym of diagnose
Diagnostic
Any technique used in medical diagnosis.
Diagnosis
The art or act of recognizing the presence of disease from its signs or symptoms, and deciding as to its character; also, the decision arrived at.
Diagnostic
(computing) Any tool or technique used to find the root of a problem.
Diagnosis
Hence, the act or process of identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon, especially the abnormal behavior of an animal or artifactual device; as, diagnosis of a vibration in an automobile; diagnosis of the failure of a sales campaign; diagnosis of a computer malfunction.
Diagnostic
That by which anything is known; a symptom.
Diagnosis
Scientific determination of any kind; the concise description of characterization of a species.
Diagnostic
Pertaining to, or furnishing, a diagnosis; indicating the nature of a disease.
Diagnosis
Critical perception or scrutiny; judgment based on such scrutiny; esp., perception of, or judgment concerning, motives and character.
The quick eye for effects, the clear diagnosis of men's minds, and the love of epigram.
My diagnosis of his character proved correct.
Diagnostic
The mark or symptom by which one disease is known or distinguished from others.
Diagnosis
Identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon
Diagnostic
Concerned with diagnosis; used for furthering diagnosis;
A diagnostic clinic
A diagnostic reading test
Diagnostic information
Diagnosis
The result of diagnostic tests or examinations.
The MRI supported the initial diagnosis.
Diagnostic
Characteristic or indicative of e.g. a disease;
A diagnostic sign of yellow fever
Diagnostic information
A rash symptomatic of scarlet fever
Symptomatic of insanity
A rise in crime symptomatic of social breakdown
Common Curiosities
Can diagnostic be used as a noun?
Rarely, but generally, it functions as an adjective.
Is a diagnosis always medical?
Mostly, but it can also refer to identifying problems in other contexts.
How does diagnostic function in a sentence?
As an adjective, it modifies nouns like "test" or "procedure."
How does diagnosis function in a sentence?
As a noun, it often serves as the subject or object.
What is diagnosis?
Diagnosis is a noun referring to the identification of a condition or disease.
Can you give an example of a diagnosis?
"Type 2 diabetes" is a diagnosis based on specific criteria.
Can a diagnosis change?
Yes, especially if new information or diagnostic tests become available.
Can anyone make a diagnosis?
Typically, a qualified healthcare provider should make a medical diagnosis.
What is diagnostic?
Diagnostic is an adjective describing tests or methods used to identify a condition.
Is a diagnostic test always accurate?
Not always; that's why multiple tests are often needed for a diagnosis.
What is diagnostic criteria?
These are specific conditions or symptoms used to make a diagnosis.
Is a diagnosis confidential?
Generally, yes, especially in healthcare settings, due to privacy laws.
What is a differential diagnosis?
It's a list of possible conditions, narrowed down by diagnostic tests.
What comes first, diagnostic or diagnosis?
Diagnostic tests are usually conducted first to make a diagnosis.
What's an example of a diagnostic tool?
An MRI machine is a diagnostic tool used in healthcare.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
