Next steps: envisioning a research agenda.
The topic of diagnostic error is a relatively new one in the academic arena and lacks an organized research agenda. Participants at "Diagnostic Error in Medicine- 2008" formally considered this issue and provided initial suggestions. Recommendations were made to standardize taxonomies and definitions, especially in regard to what constitutes a delay in diagnosis. Error discovery needs emphasis, especially with autopsies becoming a rarity. Developing standardized tools to study diagnostic error in laboratory-like conditions was viewed as a top priority. Many issues were reviewed in regard to error generation (what conditions are error-prone, what is the role of the clinicians expertise, etc.), and error reduction. These included both system-level and cognitive interventions, with specific suggestions for each dimension.
Graber
Mark L
ML
VA Medical Center, Northport, NY 11768, USA. Mark.Graber@med.va.gov
D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012106:Research; D017751:Safety Management