Skip to main content

Advances in the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Disabling Physical Health Conditions (2023) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

9 Findings and Conclusions
Pages 221-224

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 221...
... The committee reviewed evidence on many selected diagnostic and evaluative tests that demonstrate increased accuracy over previously generally available tests or that fulfill functions for which tests were previously unavailable. In many cases these important advances are helping improve the ability to diagnose conditions in the pre-symptomatic phase of disease (such as genetic testing for neurodegenerative conditions)
Read the entire page →
From page 222...
... Many of these tests have excellent validity and reliability and can help identify functional limitations that lead to disability. However, the committee's review did not reveal sufficient evidence from high-quality comparative evaluations between various evaluative tests to demonstrate that any particular evaluative test is more precise or accurate than other tests to the point that an individual evaluated using that test should be deemed more or less disabled than the person was when previously evaluated.
Read the entire page →
From page 223...
... Even for generally available diagnostic and evaluative tests, barriers to access and availability often exist, depending on the social, economic, and other characteristics of patient, provider, insurance coverage, and health care systems. Studies show that people unable to access timely, appropriate care are less likely to be diagnosed with early-stage disease, are more likely to have co-morbid conditions, and are more likely to experience poorer health outcomes overall, including disabling consequences.
Read the entire page →
From page 224...
... Frequent updates to SSA program guidance performed in a timely ­manner would help ensure that the disability evaluation process consis tently reflects the best current practice in clinical diagnosis and in the evaluation of disability. REFERENCES NASEM (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine)
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • functional limitations
  • evaluative test
  • improved diagnostic
  • functional assessments
  • health conditions

  • measure functioning
  • diagnostic techniques
  • ficient evidence
  • previously unavailable
  • diagnosis allows

  • demonstrate increased
  • physical examination
  • appropriate care
  • fulfill functions
  • useful informative

  • disability evaluation
  • measuring functional
  • particular evaluative
  • increased objectivity
  • provide accurate

  • ssa program
  • disease characteristics
  • identified health
  • literature regarding
  • specific expertise

  • walk test
  • help reduce
  • linguistically sensitive
  • diagnostic tests
  • experience poorer


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.