Pappworth explained that “overwhelming evidence is not essential for correct diagnosis, and the absence of some expected symptom or sign often does not invalidate an otherwise reasonable diagnosis.”[1][2] Where a diagnosis may have considerable impact, additional tests providing supporting evidence might be required, making diagnostic greed advantageous.
Pappworth explained that “overwhelming evidence is not essential for correct diagnosis, and the absence of some expected symptom or sign often does not invalidate an otherwise reasonable diagnosis.”[1][4][5] He recorded that the correct question was "wherefore is this disease different from all other disease?
"[7] Where a person presents with a classic history associated with clearly recognisable symptoms and signs of a condition, a diagnosis can be confidently made with ease.
[8] Likewise, in cardiology, the expectation to explain every change on an ECG to conclude a diagnosis may represent diagnostic greed.
Where a diagnosis may have considerable impact, additional tests providing supporting evidence might be required, making diagnostic greed advantageous.