21-3
LEARNING TO TELL SIMILAR PROBLEMS APART
A good way to
introduce the idea of
comparative diagnosis
is to have students turn
to page 20 of Where
There Is No Doctor.
There they will find 2
examples showing similar-
looking problems that
can be caused by many
different diseases.
list of
possible
diseases
The students can take
turns role playing each of
the possible causes. Each
person who acts out a
particular problem should
be sure to look up the
signs and history ahead
list of
possible
diseases
of time. In the role play,
everyone asks him questions
and examines him to figure out which possibility is most likely. See Chapter 14 of
this book for ideas on how to make role playing more effective and fun.
During each role play, students can list the possible causes of the problem on
the blackboard. Then write any reasons that make each one more or less likely.
If someone
pretends that
an open sore
painted on her
ankle is caused
by diabetes,
the blackboard
might look like
this after role
playing.
Make a check (√) beside each possible cause, after the group has asked
questions about it and examined the person for signs. If the illness proves unlikely,
make a cross through the check mark (√)
The same system of listing problems and checking them off can be used when
the health workers are learning to attend sick people in the clinic or community.
Each person can keep track of his or her questions, tests, findings, and diagnoses
in a notebook or on a record sheet. That way, if the problem is discussed
afterward in class, each student will have a written record of what he thought and
asked.