Errors made by doctors in office settings play a role in almost 60 percent of situations where patients are injured by missed or delayed diagnoses, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
An examination of more than 300 medical malpractice claims revealed that 181 involved diagnostic errors.
Most of the cases involved cancer of one type or another, and 30 percent concerned situations that led to the death of the patient.
Mistakes by doctors included:
- Failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests
- Failure to create a proper follow-up plan
- Not obtaining an adequate patient history
- Not performing an adequate physical examination
- Incorrect interpretation of tests
The leading factors that contributed to errors included failures in judgment, vigilance, memory, knowledge, patient-related factors or handoffs.
Commentators on the study have said that physicians need to err on the side of caution when it comes to diagnostic tests, detailed records and follow-up. Others have said that the research shows that doctors need more help in making decisions, whether from better electronic records, better evaluation techniques, or more use of nurse practitioners to ensure follow-up.