Clinical Approaches

Every Clinical Approach, From Presenting Complaint to Plan

Clinical approaches are structured, symptom-first diagnostic frameworks. Start from the complaint in front of you and work through the differential, the focused history and exam, the investigations, and the disposition — curated for clinicians and distilled from primary sources.

260 approaches 7 specialties Instant search Filter by specialty

Clinical approaches: symptom-based diagnostic frameworks branching from presenting complaint to differential diagnosis

What Each Approach Covers

A Consistent Framework for Every Presentation

Each of these clinical approaches links to a full Medaptly monograph built to the same evidence-based template — designed to complement formal guidance such as NICE clinical guidelines — so you always know where to look, whether you are narrowing a differential at the bedside or reviewing a presentation before a shift. Because every approach shares the same structure, the clinical approaches read consistently from one presentation to the next.

Structured Differential

Differential diagnoses organised by likelihood and urgency — from can’t-miss emergencies to the common, benign causes you’ll see most.

Focused History & Exam

The targeted questions and examination manoeuvres that actually move the differential, with the findings that change your next step.

Red Flags & Can’t-Miss

The alarm features that mandate urgent action, and the dangerous diagnoses you cannot afford to overlook in this presentation.

Investigations, Stepwise

First-line and confirmatory tests in the order to request them, with what each result rules in or out.

Management & Disposition

Initial management, when to admit, refer, or safely discharge, and the safety-netting to give before the patient leaves.

Evidence & Sources

Grounded in current guidelines and primary literature, with a reference list you can follow straight to the source.

Find an Approach

Search Clinical Approaches by Symptom or Specialty

260 approaches total

No approaches match your search. Try a different symptom or clear the filter.

Browse Clinical Approaches by Specialty

The 260 clinical approaches below are grouped into 7 specialties and sorted alphabetically within each. Common presentations appear in several specialties at once, so search a symptom to jump straight to it, or browse a discipline end to end.

Family Medicine 55 approaches

Common adult presentations seen first in primary care. These clinical approaches sort the benign from the serious and set clear thresholds for when to refer, admit, or safety-net.

Internal Medicine 50 approaches

Undifferentiated and complex medical problems in adults. Each approach works methodically through a broad differential and points to the investigations that most change management.

Pediatrics 52 approaches

Childhood presentations where age changes the differential, the red flags, and the dosing. These paediatric clinical approaches keep the well-versus-unwell judgement central.

Pediatric Neurology 19 approaches

Neurological complaints in children, from seizures to hypotonia and developmental concern. Each approach weighs benign patterns against progressive or treatable causes.

Neurology 26 approaches

Adult neurological presentations that localise the lesion before the scan. These clinical approaches make explicit when imaging, lumbar puncture, or urgent referral is warranted.

Obstetrics & Gynecology 38 approaches

Presentations across pregnancy and gynaecology, with the pregnancy-specific workup spelled out. Each approach separates the physiological from the pathological.

Surgery 20 approaches

Acute surgical presentations where the first decision is who needs theatre. These surgical clinical approaches prioritise the time-critical differentials and a focused examination.