What Interventions Could Reduce Diagnostic Error in Emergency Departments? A Review of Evidence, Practice and Consumer Perspectives
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to synthesise review evidence, practice and patient perspectives on interventions to reduce diagnostic error in emergency departments (EDs). A rapid review methodology identified nine systematic reviews for inclusion. Six practice interviews were conducted to identify local contextual insights and implementation considerations. Finally, patient perspectives were explored through a citizen panel with 11 participants. The rapid review found evidence for the following interventions: second opinion, decision aids, guided reflection and education. Practitioners suggested three of the four interventions from the academic review: second opinion, decision aids and education. Practitioners suggested four additional interventions: improving teamwork, engaging patients, learning from mistakes and scheduled test follow-up. Patients most favoured interventions that improved communication through education and patient engagement, while also suggesting that implementation of state-wide standards to reduce variability in care and sufficient staffing are important to address diagnostic errors. Triangulating these three perspectives on the evidence allows for the intersections to be highlighted and demonstrates the usefulness of incorporating practitioner reflections and patient values in developing potential interventions.
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Improving information transparency, such as providing easy access to medical information for patients, can bridge the information gap and encourage engagement.
“In addition to strengthening the clinician-patient relationship, improving information transparency [368,369], such as providing easy access to medical information for patients [370], can bridge the information gap and encourage engagement.”
From Toward Safer Diagnoses: A SEIPS-Based Narrative Review of Diagnostic Errors (2026) · cites this paper as [370]
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- Authors
- Wright, B., Faulkner, N., Bragge, P., & Graber, M.
- Affiliations
- Monash University (AU)
- RTI International (US)
- Corresponding author
- Wright, Breanna
- Venue
- Diagnosis
- Publisher
- Walter de Gruyter GmbH
- Published
- 2019-05-22
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 325-334
- ISSN
- 2194-8011 (ISSN-L)
- 2194-802X
- OpenAlex
- W2946249118
- Cited by
- 25
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 0.83
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Diagnosis (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Family Practice › Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Skills
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Emergency Medical Services › Patient Safety and Medication Errors
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Emergency and Acute Care Studies
- Keywords
- diagnostic errors, emergency department, second opinion, decision aids, guided reflection, medical education, teamwork, patient engagement, learning from mistakes, patient perspectives, implementation considerations, staffing, quality standards
- MeSH terms
- Communication, Decision Support Techniques, Diagnostic Errors, Emergency Medicine, Emergency Service, Hospital, Humans, Patient Care Team, Patient Participation, Referral and Consultation, Practice Guidelines as Topic, General Practitioners, Patient Safety
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