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Ask questions like this to multiple AIs at once
Try freeDifferential diagnosis template
Wrestling with a "differential diagnosis template"? Instead of endlessly sifting for general advice, lean into AI; it offers personalized, conversational guidance that cuts straight to your specific needs. Better yet, we've pulled perspectives from multiple AIs, so you get a comprehensive, dynamic view without the research grunt work.
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GPT-5 MiniDifferential diagnosis template
Here are actionable differential diagnosis templates you can implement immediately, organized by clinical context and complexity.
1. The "Quick-Start" Template (Emergency/Time-Critical)
Copy-paste format for rapid documentation:
Chief Complaint: [Symptom/Duration]
Differential Diagnoses:
MUST NOT MISS (Life-threatening):
1. [Diagnosis] - Supporting: [Key finding] | Against: [Missing finding]
2. [Diagnosis] - Supporting: [Key finding] | Against: [Missing finding]
MOST LIKELY (EP/Primary care):
3. [Diagnosis] - Probability: [%] | Key feature: [Specific sign]
4. [Diagnosis] - Probability: [%] | Key feature: [Specific sign]
ZEbras (Uncommon but possible):
5. [Diagnosis] - Risk factor: [Patient-specific reason]
Action step: Use this for every new patient encounter today. Fill in the "Must Not Miss" column first before considering common diagnoses.
2. The VITAMINS Framework (Comprehensive)
Use this mnemonic to ensure you haven't missed categories:
| Category | Questions to Ask | Example for Chest Pain |
|---|---|---|
| Vascular | Occlusion, hemorrhage, inflammation | MI, PE, aortic dissection |
| Infectious | Bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic | Pneumonia, pericarditis |
| Trauma/Toxins | Mechanical injury, drugs, environmental | Rib fracture, cocaine-induced vasospasm |
| Autoimmune | Autoantibodies, inflammatory conditions | SLE pericarditis, vasculitis |
| Metabolic | Electrolytes, endocrine, temperature | Thyroid storm, acidosis |
| Iatrogenic/Idiopathic | Medication side effects, unknown | Steroid-induced cardiomyopathy |
| Neoplastic | Primary vs. metastatic | Lung cancer, lymphoma |
| Systemic/Congenital | Genetic, anatomical variants | Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy |
Action step: Create a pocket card with VITAMINS categories. When stuck, run through each letter before finalizing your differential.
3. The Probability-Mortality Matrix (Visual Tool)
Plot your differentials on this 2x2 grid to prioritize workup:
HIGH MORTALITY + HIGH PROBABILITY → IMMEDIATE RULE OUT
(Test first, treat presumptively)
HIGH MORTALITY + LOW PROBABILITY → SCREEN EFFICIENTLY
(Single test to exclude, then move on)
LOW MORTALITY + HIGH PROBABILITY → TREAT AND CONFIRM
(Empiric therapy while awaiting results)
LOW MORTALITY + LOW PROBABILITY → WATCHFUL WAITING
(Reassess if course changes)
Action step: For your current patient list, map each potential diagnosis on this grid. Start with the top-right quadrant.
4. The Diagnostic Schema (Pathophysiological)
Organize by mechanism rather than organ system:
Template:
1. STRUCTURAL/ANATOMICAL: [Mass, obstruction, malformation]
2. INFECTIOUS/INFLAMMATORY: [Bacterial, viral, autoimmune]
3. METABOLIC/TOXIC: [Electrolytes, drugs, endocrine]
4. VASCULAR: [Ischemia, hemorrhage, thrombosis]
5. TRAUMA: [Acute injury, repetitive strain]
6. CONGENITAL/GENETIC: [Inherited disorders, anatomical variants]
7. FUNCTIONAL/PSYCHOGENIC: [Conversion, somatization, anxiety]
8. IATROGENIC: [Medication effects, procedure complications]
5. The "Positive vs. Negative" Format (For Complex Cases)
Use this for multidisciplinary rounds or handoffs:
| Diagnosis | Supporting Evidence (Present) | Against Evidence (Absent) | Next Test/Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | • [Specific finding]<br>• [Lab value]<br>• [Risk factor] | • [Expected sign missing]<br>• [Negative test] | [Specific test] |
| 2. | • [Specific finding] | • [Expected sign missing] | [Specific test] |
6. Step-by-Step Implementation Workflow
Step 1: Generate (2 minutes)
- Write down the chief complaint
- List 3 "must not miss" diagnoses (use VITAMINS if stuck)
- List 3 most common causes (base on patient demographics)
Step 2: Prune (1 minute)
- Cross off diagnoses that don't fit the timeline
- Cross off diagnoses contradicted by physical exam
- Flag any diagnosis you're emotionally attached to (confirmation bias check)
Step 3: Prioritize (1 minute)
- Assign each remaining diagnosis: "Rule out now" vs. "Rule in later"
- Identify the single best test to distinguish between your top 2 diagnoses
Step 4: Document (30 seconds)
- Write: "Differential includes [A], [B], and [C]. Plan to rule out [A] with [test] given [risk factor]."
7. Specialty-Specific Shortcuts
For Abdominal Pain: "Inflammation, Obstruction, Perforation, Ischemia, Functional" For Headache: "Vascular, Infectious, Tension, Trauma, Tumor, Temporal (arteritis)" For Dyspnea: "Pulmonary, Cardiac, Hematologic, Deconditioning, Psychogenic"
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Premature closure: Never settle on one diagnosis before generating at least 3 alternatives
- Representation bias: Don't anchor on the last interesting case you saw
- Testing threshold: Decide before ordering tests what result would change management
To help you apply this immediately:
-
What clinical scenario are you currently working with? (I can provide a filled-out example specific to your patient's presentation)
-
What's your clinical setting? (Emergency, outpatient, inpatient ward—the template priorities shift significantly between these)
-
Are you looking for a documentation template for charts, or a cognitive framework for clinical reasoning? (I can optimize for either medicolegal documentation or diagnostic accuracy)
Which template would you like me to expand on with a specific clinical example?
DeepSeek V3.2Differential diagnosis template
To create an effective differential diagnosis (DDx), you need a systematic framework that moves from a broad list of possibilities to a focused diagnostic plan. This template is designed for medical students, residents, and healthcare professionals to streamline clinical reasoning.
Step 1: The "Problem Representation"
Before listing diagnoses, summarize the case in one sentence. This anchors your thinking.
- Formula: [Age/Sex] with [Relevant PMH] presents with [Duration] of [Chief Complaint] characterized by [Key Finding].
- Example: "A 65-year-old male smoker with hypertension presents with 2 hours of acute-onset, substernal crushing chest pain radiating to the left jaw."
Step 2: The Differential Diagnosis Template
Use this structure to organize your thoughts during a patient encounter or while writing a progress note.
| Category | Diagnosis | Supporting Findings (PROS) | Refuting Findings (CONS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The "Must-Not-Miss" (Emergent) | e.g., Pulmonary Embolism | Tachycardia, pleuritic pain | Normal O2 sats, low Wells score |
| Most Likely (Working Dx) | e.g., Pneumonia | Fever, cough, crackles on exam | No sputum production yet |
| The "Occam’s Razor" (Simple) | e.g., Viral URI | Rhinorrhea, mild sore throat | Severity of cough seems higher |
| The "Zebra" (Rare/Complex) | e.g., Sarcoidosis | Bilateral hilar fullness (if seen) | No other systemic symptoms |
Step 3: Use the "VINDICATE+" Mnemonic
If you get stuck, run the chief complaint through this mnemonic to ensure you aren't missing a category of disease:
- V – Vascular: Stroke, embolism, hemorrhage, ischemia.
- I – Infectious: Bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic.
- N – Neoplastic: Primary tumor or metastasis.
- D – Degenerative/Deficiency: Alzheimer’s, Vitamin B12 deficiency, osteoarthritis.
- I – Iatrogenic/Intoxication: Medication side effects, drug withdrawal, toxins.
- C – Congenital: Genetic disorders, anatomical malformations.
- A – Autoimmune/Allergic: Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, anaphylaxis.
- T – Traumatic: Fractures, hematomas, burns.
- E – Endocrine/Metabolic: Diabetes, thyroid storm, electrolyte imbalance.
- + P – Psychogenic: Somatization, anxiety, depression.
Step 4: Actionable Diagnostic Plan
Once you have your top 3–5 differentials, create an "Ordering Strategy." Do not order tests randomly; order them to rule in or rule out specific items on your list.
- To Rule Out "Must-Not-Miss": (e.g., EKG, Troponin, D-dimer).
- To Confirm "Most Likely": (e.g., Chest X-ray, CBC with diff).
- Baseline/Supportive: (e.g., BMP for electrolytes, LFTs).
Practical Tips for Success
- Think in "Buckets": Instead of individual diseases, think of organ systems (Cardiac vs. Pulmonary vs. GI).
- The "Rule of 3": Always try to have at least three viable diagnoses before you stop your initial assessment.
- Re-evaluate: If the patient isn't responding to treatment for your "Most Likely" diagnosis within the expected timeframe, go back to your "Must-Not-Miss" or "Zebra" list.
Help me refine this for your specific needs:
- Are you looking for a template for a specific chief complaint (e.g., "Acute Abdominal Pain" or "Shortness of Breath")?
- Is this for written documentation (H&P) or for oral presentations during rounds?
- Would you like a version of this template tailored for a specific field, such as Emergency Medicine (acuity-based) or Internal Medicine (complexity-based)?