Use and importance of clustering in science and in particular for diagnosis in chiropractic

Windgassen et al. (2018) stated that patients are diverse in the way in which they both
present and require treatment for conditions. Understanding this diversity can help give
more effective and efficient treatment, and that Clustering is a means by which this diversity
can be understood. This semester we have begun to study the skill of diagnosis, through
learning and understanding different techniques in which we can test a patient to elicit
reactions or symptoms that may help indicate the underlying pathology we wish to identify.
However as I am still in the early stages of understanding this new area of knowledge, I
haven’t quite grasped the ability to appreciate the importance of clustering information and
the different techniques that can be used to help give a patient a more comprehensive and
accurate treatment and diagnosis. 

The best place for me to access information to help me better comprehend the importance
of clustering in my future as a chiropractor would be through the online library search tool
in CQU. Although I must ensure that the material I am using is peer-reviewed as this will
make sure what I am learning from both scientific and reputable sources. 

While researching the importance of clustering will be a useful tool, undertaking my own
cluster would be just as if not more effective. So I have formed a group with two fellow
chiropractic students and chosen a condition we wish to research, which in our case is
Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM). We firstly identified five different testing/history
taking techniques that relate to our condition and then divided them between us, each with
the task of researching the effectiveness of these tests in diagnosing our condition. With the
goal of then later clustering the information, we had gathered to both help us learn how to
best diagnose the condition while simultaneously teaching us the importance of clustering.

Once each group member had finished researching the techniques we had chosen we
clustered our information and some things became clear. There was no one test that could
comprehensively diagnose or identify our chosen pathology. Each technique had research
stating that it was an effective tool in diagnosing CSM, however, in almost all cases the
specificity and sensitivity of each test was not completely reliable. Much of the research
found that while the test often effective it did not consistently give a definitive and reliable
result. However many of the papers did go onto state that while it could not be used as a
singular tool to diagnose CSM it could, however, be used in conjunction with other testing
techniques to help develop a diagnosis for the patient. 
Leonard & Droege (2008) said that clustering is relevant in medicine, education, psychology,
biology and other sciences because all scientific discipline rely in some way on classification.
This assignment has further concreated this for me by showing that in most cases there is
no definitive treatment of diagnostic tool for most situations and that more often than not,
techniques used individually are often ineffective and inaccurate. However by clustering
information and techniques related to a similar condition you are able to increase the
sensitivity and specificity of your diagnosing and ultimately provide a far more
comprehensive and accurate treatment for your patient. Showing the importance of using
this as a tool in future practice. 

References:

Leonard, T, S., & Droege, M. (2008). The uses and benefits of cluster analysis in pharmacy
research. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 4(1), 1-11.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2007.02.001

Windgassen, S., Moss-Morris, R., Goldsmith, K., & Chalder, T. (2018). The importance of
cluster analysis for enhancing clinical practice: An example from irritable bowel
syndrome. Journal of Mental Health, 27(2), 94-96. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.cqu.edu.au/10.1080/09638237.2018.1437615