Go back: Diagnostic Errors in Primary Care
Select reports and research
2014 CBS Report: Malpractice Risks in the Diagnostic Process - CRICO: The Risk Management Foundation of the Harvard Medical Institutions
This report analyzes more than 8,400 factors from 2,685 ambulatory diagnosis-related cases. It looks at three broad phases in the diagnostic process – initial diagnostic assessment, testing and results processing, and follow up and coordination – to identify common problems and potential remedies.
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Diagnosis and Telemedicine: Identifying the Must-Know Research Questions for Safe and Effective Telediagnosis - Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine
The project used a scan of the literature and hosted virtual listening sessions to identify the telediagnosis questions most in need of study and research funding.
Read the conclusions
Diagnostic Error in Health Care - National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
This report examines definitions of diagnostic error and illustrative examples; the epidemiology, burden of harm, and costs associated with diagnostic error; and efforts to improve diagnosis.
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Insight: Best Practices in Referral Communication - CRICO: The Risk Management Foundation of the Harvard Medical Institutions
CRICO identifies four specific methods to improve communication between referring physicians and specialists.
Read the recommendations
Patient Safety in Primary Care - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Diagnostic errors, particularly missed or delayed diagnoses, are a focus of this annual brief review of patient safety in primary care.
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Ten Principles for More Conservative, Care-Full Diagnosis - Annals of Internal Medicine
A diverse group of clinicians, educators, and health policy and communication experts developed ten overarching principles based on core attributes of care (good communication, trusting relationships, and continuity of care) and key patient safety lessons (awareness of pitfalls, safety nets to mitigate harm, and a culture that facilitates learning/avoiding blame) that go beyond current test-by-test recommendations.
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