Befund

Befund is a German noun meaning a finding or result, particularly the content of an examination or test. In medical contexts it refers to the factual information derived from clinical evaluation, imaging, laboratory analysis, or other diagnostics. A Befund describes what was observed or measured, including normal findings and abnormalities, without interpreting their significance.

In typical medical reporting, the document is divided into sections such as patient data, reason for examination, methods, Befund (the objective findings), and Beurteilung or Diagnose (the assessment or final conclusion). The Befund should be objective, concise, and reproducible, listing relevant observations, measurements, and comparisons to prior studies when available. In radiology reports, for example, the Befund details the location, size, and characteristics of detected abnormalities, while the Beurteilung summarizes the overall clinical implications.

Differences between Befund and Diagnose are important: the Befund conveys what was found, whereas the diagnosis provides an interpretation or classification based on those findings. The terms reflect a distinction between data and clinical reasoning.

Etymologically, Befund stems from the German verb finden, meaning “to find.” While used most often in medical settings—hospitals, clinics, radiology, pathology, and laboratory medicine—it appears in broader German-language contexts to denote the results of an examination or inquiry.

In practice, a well-constructed Befund supports clear communication among clinicians, patients, and other stakeholders by documenting observable facts that inform diagnosis, treatment decisions, and follow-up.