Chelsea Graving s0268698

Clustering Assignment Reflection

I thoroughly enjoyed the process of constructing this video group assessment. I believe all
members of the group contributed fairly and worked cohesively as a team to develop our
video. The various tasks were divided so each member had a specific part to contribute. We
held regular zoom meetings to ensure we all understood what was expected of each member
and to bring it all together. We had chosen spinal stenosis for our clustering assignment and
I was responsible for gathering information on spinal stenosis and developing the history
section of the video from my research. I used LODCTRRAPPA to help construct the history
questions. I then came up with three differential diagnoses which were further tested upon
in the next section of the video to be ruled in/out. Joe created the script concordance and
researched sensitivity and specificity for each test. Alex then constructed the testing to be
done and Adam discussed positive and negatives of clustering and the benefits and limitations
of clustering in regard to spinal stenosis. In making the video, I was the chiropractor, Joe the
patient and Alex did the recording. I felt we worked well collectively as a team.

Furthermore, I enjoyed putting the skills we have learnt into a more practical setting. I felt as
though it was very beneficial to put all of the steps from history taking, differential diagnoses,
selection of orthopedic testing to rule in/out, script concordance and clustering into practice.
I believe this allowed me to think more thoroughly about the process of diagnosing a
condition. It also introduced me to a more clinical setting.

In regard to clustering, this assignment has confirmed to me that clustering is an essential and
helpful way to rule in/out various diagnoses. The tests that are chosen however, must give
reliable data, must be valid, accurate to maximise patient outcomes and should be evaluated
on their ability or accuracy to determine which people in the population have the condition
or disease and those who do not. The tests chosen are to be determined by sensitivity,
specificity and likelihood ratios. Therefore, clustering can be effective if the right tests are
included. However, it is important to consider the validity and accuracy of the tests can be
affected by both the practitioner’s skills and selection of tests, as well as the patient’s
cooperation. Therefore, it is essential to remember the use and outcome of clustering can be
somewhat subjective to both the practitioner and patient.

Overall, I found that clustering diagnostic tests can be effective in the process of diagnosing a
patient’s condition and is best to be used as a part of the overall assessment.