WHO: Diagnostic errors. Technical series on safer primary care (2016)

Summary

Diagnosis is one of the most important tasks performed by primary care providers. Diagnostic errors can lead to patient harm from wrong or delayed testing or treatment. They have emerged as a global priority in patient safety.

This report raises awareness among the World Health Organization (WHO) Member States about strategies that could be implemented to reduce diagnostic errors in primary care. After outlining the approach taken to compile information, it describes the importance of examining diagnostic errors, the most common types of diagnostic errors in primary care, and potential solutions.