Cited by 162Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic SkillsPatient Safety and Medication ErrorsElectronic Health Records Systems

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 75 of the 76 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 93 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Reducing Diagnostic Errors through Effective Communication: Harnessing the Power of Information Technology

Open access
Singh, Hardeep, Naik, Aanand Dinkar, Rao, Raghuram, Petersen, Laura Ann·2008·Journal of General Internal Medicine

Abstract

Diagnostic errors are poorly understood despite being a frequent cause of medical errors. Recent efforts have aimed to advance the "basic science" of diagnostic error prevention by tracing errors to their most basic origins. Although a refined theory of diagnostic error prevention will take years to formulate, we focus on communication breakdown, a major contributor to diagnostic errors and an increasingly recognized preventable factor in medical mishaps. We describe a comprehensive framework that integrates the potential sources of communication breakdowns within the diagnostic process and identifies vulnerable steps in the diagnostic process where various types of communication breakdowns can precipitate error. We then discuss potential information technology-based interventions that may have efficacy in preventing one or more forms of these breakdowns. These possible intervention strategies include using new technologies to enhance communication between health providers and health systems, improve patient involvement, and facilitate management of information in the medical record.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This conceptual paper argues that communication breakdown is a major preventable contributor to diagnostic errors and proposes a three-level framework linking diagnostic steps, communication types, and breakdown points to guide IT-based interventions. It catalogs 12 possible communication error types and discusses EMR/PHR, alerting, tracking, email, and shared decision-making strategies, while cautioning that IT alone cannot assure safer diagnosis.

Key findings

  • Diagnostic errors are frequent and costly: about 40% of all malpractice payments in 2003 were diagnosis-related, with an average payment of approximately $300,000 per claim; one study of 49,345 malpractice claims from 1985–2000 found over one-third caused by diagnostic error, and 1 in 6 subjects in a National Patient Safety Foundation poll claimed personally experiencing diagnostic error.
  • Communication breakdowns are common in diagnosis: over a third of women with abnormal mammograms did not receive appropriate follow-up; 68% of specialists reported receiving no information from the primary care physician before the referral visit, and 25% of primary care physicians reported still having no information from specialists 4 weeks after referral visits.
  • The paper proposes a framework combining 3 diagnostic steps (data gathering, data integration, diagnosis verification), 2 communication types (interpersonal and informational), and 3 breakdown types (message transmission, reception, acknowledgement), yielding 12 possible communication error types across data gathering and diagnosis verification.
  • Proposed IT interventions include EMRs, personal health records, electronic alerts, tracking of abnormal results and consultations, direct reporting of test results, secure email, and shared decision-making tools; however, the authors state IT-based interventions alone cannot assure improvement and computerized systems themselves can lead to unintended communication errors.

Methods

  • Design: conceptual/review article that develops a framework and discusses potential IT-based interventions; no empirical study or trial is reported.
  • Data or sample: no primary dataset or patient sample; the paper draws on cited literature and illustrative examples, including 12 examples in Table 1.
  • Main analysis: narrative synthesis and conceptual framework development linking diagnostic steps, communication types, and breakdown points to proposed IT strategies.

Limitations

  • Stated in the paper: the true prevalence of diagnostic error is unknown; relatively little is known about causes and prevention; a refined cognitive theory of diagnostic decision making will require years; IT-based interventions alone cannot assure improvements and may introduce unintended errors; physician adoption of email is generally low and several barriers exist.
  • Evident from the text: the proposed framework and 12 communication error types are not empirically tested in this paper, and no outcome data are provided on the efficacy of the proposed IT interventions.
  • Evident from the text: the examples in Table 1 are illustrative scenarios rather than validated case series or measured outcomes.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s11606-007-0393-z

Cites

75 of 75 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

0 of 93 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Interpretationcitation
    § Abstract

    IT-based interventions alone cannot assure improvements in communication.

    “IT-based interventions alone, however, cannot assure improvements in communication.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [25] Singh H, Arora HS, Vij MS, Rao R, Khan M, Petersen LA. Communication outcomes of critical imaging results in a computerized notification system. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2007;14:459–66. source
    • cites [34] Ash JS, Berg M, Coiera E. Some unintended consequences of information technology in health care: the nature of patient care information system-related errors. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2004;11:104–12. source
    • cites [42] Campbell EM, Sittig DF, Ash JS, Guappone KP, Dykstra RH. Types of unintended consequences related to computerized provider order entry. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2006;13:547–56. source
  • Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    Emerging data suggest a high prevalence of communication breakdowns among physicians, patients, and important members of the health care team who assist with the diagnostic process.

    “Communication breakdowns are an increasingly recognized preventable factor in medical mishaps, and emerging data suggest a high prevalence of communication breakdowns among physicians, patients, and important members of the health care team who assist with the diagnostic process.21,25–32”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 9 sources checked
    • cites [21] Gandhi TK. Fumbled handoffs: one dropped ball after another. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142:352–8. source
    • cites [25] Singh H, Arora HS, Vij MS, Rao R, Khan M, Petersen LA. Communication outcomes of critical imaging results in a computerized notification system. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2007;14:459–66. source
    • cites [26] Boohaker EA, Ward RE, Uman JE, McCarthy BD. Patient notification and follow-up of abnormal test results. A physician survey. Arch Intern Med. 1996;156:327–31. source
    • cites [27] Brenner RJ, Bartholomew L. Communication errors in radiology: a liability cost analysis. J Am Coll Radiol. 2005;2:428–31. source
    • cites [28] Gandhi TK, Sittig DF, Franklin M, Sussman AJ, Fairchild DG, Bates DW. Communication breakdown in the outpatient referral process. J Gen Intern Med. 2000;15:626–31. source
    • cites [29] Petersen LA, Brennan TA, O’Neil AC, Cook EF, Lee TH. Does housestaff discontinuity of care increase the risk for preventable adverse events? Ann Intern Med. 1994;121:866–72. source
    • cites [30] Poon EG, Haas JS, Louise PA, Gandhi TK, Burdick E, Bates DW, Brennan TA. Communication factors in the follow-up of abnormal mammograms. J Gen Intern Med. 2004;19:316–23. source
    • cites [31] Schiff GD. Introduction: communicating critical test results. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2005;31:63–5. source
    • cites [32] Sutcliffe KM, Lewton E, Rosenthal MM. Communication failures: an insidious contributor to medical mishaps. Acad Med. 2004;79:186–94. source
  • Interpretationreasoning
    § Abstract

    Addressing preventable communication breakdowns by using resources such as information technology offers a viable and timely opportunity to improve diagnostic quality.

    “Thus, addressing preventable communication breakdowns by using resources such as information technology offers a viable and timely opportunity to improve the diagnostic quality.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    Little is known about the precise cognitive processes that physicians use to confirm and reject their diagnostic hypotheses.

    “Little is known about the precise cognitive processes that physicians use to confirm and reject their diagnostic hypotheses,20”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] Sox HC, Blatt MA, Higgins MC, Marton KI. Medical Decision Making. Stoneham, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 1988.
  • Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    Diagnostic difficulties persist despite practitioner experience and advances in diagnostic tests.

    “and diagnostic difficulties persist despite practitioner experience and advances in diagnostic tests.23,24”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [23] Kuhn GJ. Diagnostic errors. Acad Emerg Med. 2002;9:740–50. source
    • cites [24] Friedman CP, Gatti GG, Franz TM, et al. Do physicians know when their diagnoses are correct? Implications for decision support and error reduction. J Gen Intern Med. 2005;20:334–9. source
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 9
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 15
  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    The Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) technique implemented widely at health systems such as Kaiser Permanente standardizes communication and reduces breakdowns related to data gathering.

    “For example, the Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) technique implemented widely at health systems such as Kaiser Permanente standardizes communication and reduces breakdowns related to data gathering.40”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [40] Kaiser Permanente of Colorado. SBAR Technique for Communication: A Situational Briefing Model. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement . 2006. Available at http://www.ihi.org/IHI/Topics/PatientSafety/SafetyGeneral/Tools/SBARTechniqueforCommunicationASituationalBriefingModel.htm . Accessed 7-2-2007.
  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    Often communication in the health care setting is not only intended to transfer information, but also to generate a response from the recipient, such as taking an action and acknowledging receipt of the information.

    “In this paper, it is worthwhile to consider the goals of communication in the health care setting: often communication is not only intended to transfer information, but also to generate a response from the recipient of the information, such as taking an action and acknowledging receipt of the information.34”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [34] Ash JS, Berg M, Coiera E. Some unintended consequences of information technology in health care: the nature of patient care information system-related errors. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2004;11:104–12. source
  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Abstract

    All 3 steps of the diagnostic process, but particularly data gathering and diagnosis verification, rely on good communication and may be targeted for interventions to improve the process of making a correct diagnosis.

    “Thus, all 3 of the above steps, but particularly data gathering and diagnosis verification, rely on good communication and may be targeted for interventions to improve the process of making a correct diagnosis.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    To improve communication and patient safety, the Institute of Medicine has called for redesigning and error-proofing health care delivery systems.

    “To improve communication and patient safety, the Institute of Medicine has called for redesigning and error-proofing health care delivery systems.36”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [36] Institute of Medicine. To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 1999.
  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    In a study of 49,345 malpractice claims between 1985 and 2000, over one-third of the claims were caused by diagnostic error.

    “One such study analyzed 49,345 malpractice claims between 1985 and 2000 and found over one-third of the claims to be caused by diagnostic error.2”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] Phillips RL Jr, Bartholomew LA, Dovey SM, Fryer GE Jr, Miyoshi TJ, Green LA. Learning from malpractice claims about negligent, adverse events in primary care in the United States. Qual Saf Health Care. 2004;13:121–6. source
  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    Out of all liability claims, those related to diagnoses are the most frequent and expensive, about 40% of all malpractice payments in 2003, with an average payment of approximately $300,000 per claim.

    “Large risk-management database studies have shown that out of all liability claims, those related to diagnoses are the most frequent and expensive (about 40% of all malpractice payments in 2003, with an average payment of approximately $300,000 per claim1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] Chandra A, Nundy S, Seabury SA. The growth of physician medical malpractice payments: evidence from the National Practitioner Data Bank. Health Aff (Millwood). 2005;Suppl Web Exclusives:W5. source
  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    Using information technology (IT) and adopting electronic medical records (EMR) can significantly improve the quality of information transfer and reduce failures in several of the pathways we have described.

    “Using information technology (IT) and adopting electronic medical records (EMR) can significantly improve the quality of information transfer38,39 and reduce failures in several of the pathways we have described.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [38] Bates DW, Gawande AA. Improving safety with information technology. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:2526–34. source
    • cites [39] Petersen LA, Orav EJ, Teich JM, O’Neil AC, Brennan TA. Using a computerized sign-out program to improve continuity of inpatient care and prevent adverse events. Jt Comm J Qual Improv. 1998;24:77–87.
  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    Read-back verification requires the clinician to repeat the information back to the person who transmitted it, completing the loop of reception and acknowledgement in a verifiable manner.

    “Another intervention known as “read-back verification” requires the clinician to repeat the information back to the person who transmitted it, completing the loop of reception and acknowledgement in a verifiable manner.41”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [41] Barenfanger J, Sautter RL, Lang DL, Collins SM, Hacek DM, Peterson LR. Improving patient safety by repeating (Read-Back) telephone reports of critical information. Am J Clin Pathol. 2004;121:801–3. source
  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Abstract

    Although message acknowledgement is not strictly necessary for data synthesis and follow-up action in all cases, acknowledgement facilitates concordance among parties and typically implies that some action will follow.

    “Although message acknowledgement is not strictly necessary for data synthesis and follow-up action in all cases, acknowledgement facilitates concordance among parties and typically implies that some action will follow.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    In a National Patient Safety Foundation poll, 1 in 6 subjects interviewed claimed to have personally experienced diagnostic error.

    “Although the true prevalence of diagnostic error is unknown, 1 in 6 subjects interviewed in a National Patient Safety Foundation poll claimed to have personally experienced diagnostic error.3”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3] Golodner L. How the public perceives patient safety. Newsletter of the National Safety Foundation. 2004;1997:1–6.
  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    One method for achieving this goal is to develop electronic information systems for the delivery of health care data.

    “One method for achieving this goal is to develop electronic information systems for the delivery of health care data.36,37”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [36] Institute of Medicine. To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 1999.
    • cites [37] Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Patient Safety: Achieving a New Standard for Care. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 2004.
  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    According to Kuhn, the process of making a diagnosis involves 3 sequential, overlapping steps: data gathering, data integration, and verification of diagnosis.

    “According to Kuhn, the process of making a diagnosis involves 3 sequential, overlapping steps: data gathering, data integration, and verification of diagnosis.23”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] Kuhn GJ. Diagnostic errors. Acad Emerg Med. 2002;9:740–50. source
  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    Diagnostic errors are a frequent cause of medical errors in the United States.

    “Diagnostic errors are a frequent cause of medical errors in the United States.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [1] Chandra A, Nundy S, Seabury SA. The growth of physician medical malpractice payments: evidence from the National Practitioner Data Bank. Health Aff (Millwood). 2005;Suppl Web Exclusives:W5. source
    • cites [2] Phillips RL Jr, Bartholomew LA, Dovey SM, Fryer GE Jr, Miyoshi TJ, Green LA. Learning from malpractice claims about negligent, adverse events in primary care in the United States. Qual Saf Health Care. 2004;13:121–6. source
  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    Diagnostic errors appear to be burdensome in the training environment.

    “Such errors also appear to be burdensome in the training environment.4–6”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [4] Singh H, Thomas EJ, Khan M, Petersen LA. Identifying diagnostic errors in primary care using an electronic screening algorithm. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167(3):302–8. source
    • cites [5] Singh H, Thomas EJ, Petersen LA, Studdert DM. Medical errors involving trainees: a study of closed malpractice claims from 5 insurers. Arch Intern Med. 2007 Oct 22;167(19):2030–6. source
    • cites [6] Wu AW, Folkman S, McPhee SJ, Lo B. Do house officers learn from their mistakes? JAMA. 1991;265:2089–94. source
  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Interpretationnone given
    § CONCLUSIONS

    Focusing interventions on diagnostic steps that are prone to communication breakdowns could achieve a significant reduction in diagnostic errors.

    “Focusing interventions on diagnostic steps that are prone to communication breakdowns could achieve a significant reduction in diagnostic errors.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Communication breakdowns lead to diagnostic errors.
  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    Patients can use personal health records (PHRs) to generate their own medical histories before their visits and integrate selected information with the physician's EMR at their discretion.

    “Patients can use personal health records (PHRs; secure electronic repositories of health information50) to generate their own medical histories before their visits and integrate selected information with the physician’s EMR at their discretion.51”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [50] Gearon CJ. Perspectives on the Future of Personal Health Records. Health Records . 2007. 7-17-2007. Available at http://www.chcf.org/documents/chronicdisease/PHRPerspectives.pdf . Accessed 7-12-2007.
    • cites [51] Medical Net Systems, Inc. Medical Net Systems EMR PHR Integration and Other Advance Features; Executive Summary. Medical Net Systems, Inc. 2007. Available at http://www.medicalnetsystems.com/index/EMR_PHR_Integration . Accessed 7-12-2007.
  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § CONCLUSIONS

    Multidisciplinary IT-based strategies that integrate the science of physician-patient communication and health informatics can offer a pragmatic approach to reduce diagnostic errors in health care.

    “Multidisciplinary IT-based strategies that integrate the science of physician–patient communication and health informatics can offer a pragmatic approach to reduce diagnostic errors in health care.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Communication breakdowns lead to diagnostic errors.
  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    These studies use an interactive voice response tool to enhance self-care and improve the diagnosis of disease decompensation.

    “These studies use an interactive voice response tool to enhance self-care and improve the diagnosis of disease decompensation.68,69”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [68] Heisler M, Piette JD. "I help you, and you help me": facilitated telephone peer support among patients with diabetes. Diabetes Educ. 2005;31:869–79. source
    • cites [69] Heisler M, Halasyamani L, Resnicow K, et al. “I am not alone”: the feasibility and acceptability of interactive voice response-facilitated telephone peer support among older adults with heart failure. Congest Heart Fail. 2007;13:149–57. source
  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    To improve the design of any IT-based system, the IOM proposes the application of engineering concepts and methods, especially in the area of human factors.

    “To improve the design of any IT-based system, the IOM proposes the application of engineering concepts and methods, especially in the area of human factors.36,37”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [36] Institute of Medicine. To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 1999.
    • cites [37] Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Patient Safety: Achieving a New Standard for Care. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 2004.
  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    The VA's View Alert system tracks acknowledgement of abnormal test results, and results that go unacknowledged receive a higher degree of oversight to reduce the chance that the report would be lost in the system.

    “For instance, the VA’s View Alert system tracks acknowledgement of abnormal test results, and results that go unacknowledged receive a higher degree of oversight to reduce the chance that the report would be lost in the system (e.g., Example 12).25”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] Singh H, Arora HS, Vij MS, Rao R, Khan M, Petersen LA. Communication outcomes of critical imaging results in a computerized notification system. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2007;14:459–66. source
  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Abstract

    Customizing EMR screens to receive only critical alerts and using special alert management software to track them can avoid problems when providers fail to take action or acknowledge alerts or ignore alerts because they receive too many.

    “Customizing EMR screens to receive only critical alerts and using special alert management software to track them can avoid such problems.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Several EMRs use a notification system (for instance, the VA’s View Alert system) that immediately alerts clinicians about clinically significant events such as abnormal test results.
  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § CONCLUSIONS

    This framework can inform the design and testing of IT-based interventions to improve the effectiveness of communication.

    “This framework can inform the design and testing of IT-based interventions to improve the effectiveness of communication.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Communication breakdowns lead to diagnostic errors.
22 of 22
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    EMRs can provide effective decision support, clinical reminders, and other diagnostic aids so that the diagnostic workup can be automatically prompted based on complaints and findings.

    “EMRs can provide effective decision support, clinical reminders, and other diagnostic aids so that the diagnostic workup can be automatically prompted based on complaints and findings.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    EMR linkages can make available a “distributed” electronic health record to several providers across multiple health care systems and thereby centralize patient information to facilitate diagnosis.

    “EMR linkages can make available a “distributed” electronic health record to several providers across multiple health care systems and thereby centralize patient information to facilitate diagnosis.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Several EMRs use a notification system (for instance, the VA’s View Alert system) that immediately alerts clinicians about clinically significant events such as abnormal test results.

    “Alerting for Diagnostic Test Result Management Several EMRs use a notification system (for instance, the VA’s View Alert system) that immediately alerts clinicians about clinically significant events such as abnormal test results.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Secure email can serve as an adjunct to interpersonal communication and facilitate data gathering and diagnosis verification.

    “Secure email can be an adjunct to interpersonal communication and facilitates both data gathering and diagnosis verification.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    EMRs can track patient appointments for tests and consultations and hence can facilitate interpersonal communication during diagnosis verification.

    “EMRs can track patient appointments for tests and consultations and hence can facilitate interpersonal communication during diagnosis verification.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    PHRs can be used to provide patient reminders for tests and appointments.

    “PHRs can also be used to provide patient reminders for tests and appointments.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Closer monitoring of patients with increased health care needs in their homes via devices and applications connected to an electronic network can facilitate earlier diagnosis when problems arise.

    “Closer monitoring of patients with increased health care needs in their homes via devices and applications connected to an electronic network can also facilitate earlier diagnosis when problems arise.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Communication breakdowns lead to diagnostic errors.

    “communication breakdowns that lead to diagnostic errors”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many patient engagement processes are prone to the same errors that contribute to communication breakdowns.

    “many of these processes are prone to the same errors that contribute to communication breakdowns.”
9 of 9

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Example 3 is assigned to two different diagnostic steps

    Minor

    Table 1 places Example 3 among data-gathering-related errors, but the later discussion uses the same example to illustrate communication during diagnosis verification.

1 of 1

Citations

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

1 of the 76 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Sox HC, Blatt MA, Higgins MC, Marton KI. Medical Decision Making. Stoneham, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 1988.
  2. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Patient Safety: Achieving a New Standard for Care. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 2004.
  3. Wahls T, Haugen T, Cowell K, Becker B. Assessing diagnostic test result managment in a VA health care network. Fed Pract. 2006;23:23–42.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Metadata

Authors
Singh, H., Naik, A. D., Rao, R., & Petersen, L. A.
Affiliations
  • Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (US)
  • Baylor College of Medicine (US)
Corresponding author
Singh, Hardeep
Venue
Journal of General Internal Medicine
Published
2008-03-29
Volume
23
Issue
4
Pages
489-494
ISSN
  • 0884-8734 (ISSN-L)
  • 1525-1497
OpenAlex
W2086374949
Cited by
162
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 10
FWCI
8.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of General Internal Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
  • National Institute on Aging (K23AG027144)
  • National Cancer Institute (K23CA125585)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Family Practice › Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Skills
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Patient Safety and Medication Errors
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Electronic Health Records Systems
Keywords
diagnostic errors, communication breakdown, diagnostic error prevention, medical errors, patient involvement, medical records management, diagnostic process
MeSH terms
Diagnostic Errors, Hospital Information Systems, Humans, Interprofessional Relations, Medical Records Systems, Computerized, Biomedical Technology

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