Exploration of standardized diagnostic protocol in Ayurvedic perspective w.s.r to Nidana Panchaka and its relevant application in current clinical practice

Abstract

Diagnosis is a fundamental component in clinical practice with significant implication in patient care, research & health policy. Diagnosis in health care is among the most important processes since the protocol for the patient treatment depends on this step. WHO recently prioritized patient safety areas in primary care and included diagnostic errors as a high-priority problem. Most people will likely experience a diagnostic error in their lifetime. Despite of extensive investigation understanding the etiopathogenesis still remain elusive in contemporary practice. The time pressure often involved in clinical appointments also contribute to challenge in the clinical history & interview. Though diagnostic error is frequent in contemporary practice but still represent an underemphasized & understudied area of patient safety. Defeating and dissecting diagnostic error is the need of era which can be challenged by understanding as well as implementing the principles of Nidana Panchaka as per Ayurvedic Perspective. Developing and validating diagnostic tools for disease enumerated in Ayurvedic classical texts can help in standardizing the clinical approach even when attempting to arrive at a patient specific diagnosis. The author has made an attempt to explore the concept of five basic diagnostic protocol under the heading Pancha Nidana and its relevancy in contemporary clinical practice.