Abstract: A diagnostic tool to assist patients in understanding the nature of medical conditions such as arthritis, includes a graphic display having a central scale with end points showing “REMISSION” and “WORST”. In addition, the tool comprises scales placed on either side and substantially equidistant from the central scale. One of the side scales is a patient assessment scale while the other scale is a clinical assessment scale. The side scales are arranged with end points adjacent the end points of the central scale. Lines may be drawn on the scale joining a patient's self assessment point with a clinical assessment done at the same time to demonstrate to the patient the patient's present condition, the therapeutic potential and the therapeutic opportunity.