Final Diagnosis

This article is about the 1997 novel by James White. For the 1959 novel by Arthur Hailey, see The Final Diagnosis.

Final Diagnosis is a 1997 science fiction novel by Northern Irish author James White, part of his Sector General series.

First edition, published by Tor Books. Cover art by John Berkey.

Plot

A man suffering from multiple mysterious illnesses and allergic reactions is labelled a hypochondriac. Finally he is sent to Sector General as a last resort. He befriends his fellow alien patients, telling them his life history. Rather than dismissing his complaints, the attentive hospital doctors develop a theory, and bring him back to his home planet. At the scene of a childhood accident that seems to have started it all, explanations are found.