Improving diagnosis in health care (2015)

Summary

This report is a continuation of the landmark Institute of Medicine reports To Err Is Human (2000) and Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001). It finds that diagnosis, and in particular the occurrence of diagnostic errors, has been largely unappreciated in efforts to improve the quality and safety of healthcare. Without a dedicated focus on improving diagnosis, diagnostic errors will likely worsen as the delivery of health care and the diagnostic process continue to increase in complexity. Just as the diagnostic process is a collaborative activity, improving diagnosis will require collaboration and a widespread commitment to change among health care professionals, healthcare organisations, patients and their families, researchers and policy makers. The report's recommendations contribute to the growing momentum for change in this crucial area of healthcare quality and safety.

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