Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 7 Context Principle
Statement
Medical information SHALL be interpreted within its relevant clinical context.
Definition
Clinical Context comprises the circumstances and background information that are relevant to the interpretation of a medical observation, finding, investigation, or diagnostic assessment.
Context may include, among other factors:
- the patient's history,
- age,
- symptoms and their development,
- previous findings,
- relevant environmental or situational circumstances,
- the reason for the investigation,
- and the point in the diagnostic process at which the information was obtained.
A medical finding SHALL therefore not be interpreted as an isolated piece of information when relevant contextual information is available.
Principle
The diagnostic meaning of medical information SHALL be determined in relation to its relevant context rather than in isolation.
The same finding may have different diagnostic significance in different clinical contexts.
Conversely, information that appears insignificant in isolation may become relevant when considered together with the surrounding circumstances.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
No medical information should be interpreted without its relevant context.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 7 Context Principle
Statement
Medical information SHALL be interpreted within its relevant clinical context.
Definition
Clinical Context comprises the circumstances and background information that are relevant to the interpretation of a medical observation, finding, investigation, or diagnostic assessment.
Context may include, among other factors:
- the patient's history,
- age,
- symptoms and their development,
- previous findings,
- relevant environmental or situational circumstances,
- the reason for the investigation,
- and the point in the diagnostic process at which the information was obtained.
A medical finding SHALL therefore not be interpreted as an isolated piece of information when relevant contextual information is available.
Principle
The diagnostic meaning of medical information SHALL be determined in relation to its relevant context rather than in isolation.
The same finding may have different diagnostic significance in different clinical contexts.
Conversely, information that appears insignificant in isolation may become relevant when considered together with the surrounding circumstances.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
No medical information should be interpreted without its relevant context.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 7 Context Principle
Statement
Medical information SHALL be interpreted within its relevant clinical context.
Definition
Clinical Context comprises the circumstances and background information that are relevant to the interpretation of a medical observation, finding, investigation, or diagnostic assessment.
Context may include, among other factors:
- the patient's history,
- age,
- symptoms and their development,
- previous findings,
- relevant environmental or situational circumstances,
- the reason for the investigation,
- and the point in the diagnostic process at which the information was obtained.
A medical finding SHALL therefore not be interpreted as an isolated piece of information when relevant contextual information is available.
Principle
The diagnostic meaning of medical information SHALL be determined in relation to its relevant context rather than in isolation.
The same finding may have different diagnostic significance in different clinical contexts.
Conversely, information that appears insignificant in isolation may become relevant when considered together with the surrounding circumstances.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
No medical information should be interpreted without its relevant context.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 7 Context Principle
Statement
Medical information SHALL be interpreted within its relevant clinical context.
Definition
Clinical Context comprises the circumstances and background information that are relevant to the interpretation of a medical observation, finding, investigation, or diagnostic assessment.
Context may include, among other factors:
- the patient's history,
- age,
- symptoms and their development,
- previous findings,
- relevant environmental or situational circumstances,
- the reason for the investigation,
- and the point in the diagnostic process at which the information was obtained.
A medical finding SHALL therefore not be interpreted as an isolated piece of information when relevant contextual information is available.
Principle
The diagnostic meaning of medical information SHALL be determined in relation to its relevant context rather than in isolation.
The same finding may have different diagnostic significance in different clinical contexts.
Conversely, information that appears insignificant in isolation may become relevant when considered together with the surrounding circumstances.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
No medical information should be interpreted without its relevant context.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 7 Context Principle
Statement
Medical information SHALL be interpreted within its relevant clinical context.
Definition
Clinical Context comprises the circumstances and background information that are relevant to the interpretation of a medical observation, finding, investigation, or diagnostic assessment.
Context may include, among other factors:
- the patient's history,
- age,
- symptoms and their development,
- previous findings,
- relevant environmental or situational circumstances,
- the reason for the investigation,
- and the point in the diagnostic process at which the information was obtained.
A medical finding SHALL therefore not be interpreted as an isolated piece of information when relevant contextual information is available.
Principle
The diagnostic meaning of medical information SHALL be determined in relation to its relevant context rather than in isolation.
The same finding may have different diagnostic significance in different clinical contexts.
Conversely, information that appears insignificant in isolation may become relevant when considered together with the surrounding circumstances.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
No medical information should be interpreted without its relevant context.
Mierau Medical Diagnostic and Coding Method
The Eighteen Foundational Postulates
Postulate 7 Context Principle
Statement
Medical information SHALL be interpreted within its relevant clinical context.
Definition
Clinical Context comprises the circumstances and background information that are relevant to the interpretation of a medical observation, finding, investigation, or diagnostic assessment.
Context may include, among other factors:
- the patient's history,
- age,
- symptoms and their development,
- previous findings,
- relevant environmental or situational circumstances,
- the reason for the investigation,
- and the point in the diagnostic process at which the information was obtained.
A medical finding SHALL therefore not be interpreted as an isolated piece of information when relevant contextual information is available.
Principle
The diagnostic meaning of medical information SHALL be determined in relation to its relevant context rather than in isolation.
The same finding may have different diagnostic significance in different clinical contexts.
Conversely, information that appears insignificant in isolation may become relevant when considered together with the surrounding circumstances.
Rationale
Practical Example
Database Requirements
Implications
Related Postulates
Key Message
No medical information should be interpreted without its relevant context.