Classifying

Classifying Diseases

Functional Unit:

1. Constructing a Functional Unit

2. Sieving the Functional Unit

3. The Functional Unit in Action

4. Solving a Clinical Problem

5. Classifying Diseases

6. Functional Units & Acute Pains

7. Functional Units & Tumours

8. Making a Diagnosis

9. A Roast Duck & Three Litres of Jupin Beer

So far we have used functional units to tackle specific clinical questions presented by patients. Functional units can be useful in other ways too. One example is in classifying diseases, a useful exercise to get to understand a group of diseases.

Renal failure is a subject of confusion for many medical students, and is a good example of where classification may be usefully applied. A broad range of diseases may affect kidneys and they can be broken down with a clear functional unit. If you were to combine it with the power of the sieve, you could easily develop a comprehensive plan of a great number of causes of renal failure.