Learning From Patients’ Experiences Related To Diagnostic Errors Is Essential For Progress In Patient Safety

• DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.0698
• Publication Date: 2018-11-05T20:56:20Z
• Authors: Traber Davis Giar...; Helen Haskell; Shailaja Menon; Julia Hallisy; Frederick S. Sout...; Urmimala Sarkar; Kathryn E. Royse; Hardeep Singh
• Keywords: Male; Decision Making; Nursing; diagnostic error; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Clinical Research; Health Services and Systems; Health Sciences; patient safety; Health services and systems; Humans; Diagnostic Errors; Physician-Patient Relations; patient engagement; patient experience; Communication; Middle Aged; Hospitals; Policy and administration; 3. Good health; Applied Economics; Public Health and Health Services; Health Policy & Services; Female; Patient Safety; professionalism

Diagnostic error research has largely focused on individual clinicians' decision making and system design, while overlooking information from patients. We analyzed a unique new data source of patient- family-reported narratives to explore factors that contribute diagnostic errors. From reports adverse medical events submitted in the period January 2010-February 2016, we identified 184 patient error. Problems related patient-physician interactions emerged as major contributors. Our analysis 224 instances behavioral interpersonal reflected unprofessional clinician behavior, including ignoring patients' knowledge, disrespecting patients, failing communicate, manipulation or deception. Patients' perspectives can lead more comprehensive understanding why errors occur help develop strategies for mitigation. Health systems should implement formal programs collect experiences with process use these promote an organizational culture strives reduce harm