Rationale: The overall goal of this application is to advance the science of diagnostic error reduction.
Diagnostic error (defined as the failure to provide the patient with an accurate and timely diagnosis or to
communicate that explanation to the patient) is an important, common, and costly problem. These errors and
their impact on patient outcomes, previously underemphasized, have been the subject of increasing attention
secondary to the publication of the Institute of Medicine report Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, the AHRQ
Research Summit on Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, and the formation of the Coalition to Improve
Diagnosis by the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine. Despite this tangible progress, the best means of
identifying, measuring and preventing diagnostic errors remains unclear. Simply understanding the complex
origins of diagnostic errors requires multidisciplinary involvement that includes the input of patients, clinicians,
educators, human factors experts, and cognitive scientists, with support from other important stakeholders
including payers and accrediting/credentialing organizations.
Previous Conferences and Impact: Previous conferences, all supported by AHRQ, provided forums for
groundbreaking research as well as a means of bringing together researchers and experts to focus on issues
that lie at the intersection of diagnostic reasoning and medical error. They have resulted in the formation of
research agendas and the identification of programs and initiatives that will lead to improvements in diagnostic
safety. A key output of the prior conferences was the formation of the Society to Improve Diagnosis in
Medicine, the sole national organization devoted to promoting diagnostic safety. Over the past several
conferences, an emerging focus has been placed on identifying, promulgating and promoting specific
strategies that have been demonstrated to improve diagnostic performance and safety.
Conference Plan: The conferences will be 3.5-day meetings. As previously, the first day will center on
summits designed to bring together key leaders in specific areas of the study of diagnostic error with research,
patient and educational summits all planned. The subsequent conference will focus on practical means of
improving diagnostic reliability through presentation of both research advances and practice innovations.
There will be a concentration on the dissemination of interventions demonstrated to effect an improvement in
diagnostic safety, with a specific focus being placed on the beneficial effect that improved teamwork can have
on the diagnostic process. Specific emphasis will also be placed on promoting and encouraging research in
the field. Speakers will be internationally recognized leaders from diverse disciplines including organizational
development and teamwork, patient safety, patient engagement, and medical education.
Impact/ Deliverables: The conferences will provide an opportunity to promote the development and
dissemination of initiatives and strategies designed to reduce diagnostic errors and their impact on patients.