title: Use of a decision tree to improve accuracy of diagnosis.
abstract: Thirty triads of nurses matched for educational background, length of experience, and previous performance were studied to determine if use of a decision tree would improve diagnostic accuracy. One experimental and two control groups were given a written case study and asked to list all possible diagnoses that could cause the change in behavior exhibited by the patient. Experimental group nurses were given a set of decision trees to enable them to use the information systematically to determine if characteristics of each condition were present. Significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy was shown by nurses who used the decision trees.
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009732:Nursing Care