Traber Davis Giardina1, Urmimala Sarkar2, Gato Gourley2, Varsha Modi3, Ashley N D Meyer3, Hardeep Singh3. 1. Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (152) and the Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA. 2. UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA. 3. Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diagnostic errors pose a significant threat to patient safety but little is known about public perceptions of diagnostic errors. A study published in BMJ Quality & Safety in 2014 estimated that diagnostic errors affect at least 5% of US adults (or 12 million) per year. We sought to explore online public reactions to media reports on the reported frequency of diagnostic errors in the US adult population. METHODS: We searched the World Wide Web for any news article reporting findings from the study. We then gathered all the online comments made in response to the news articles to evaluate public reaction to the newly reported diagnostic error frequency (n=241). Two coders conducted content analyses of the comments and an experienced qualitative researcher resolved differences. RESULTS: Overall, there were few comments made regarding the frequency of diagnostic errors. However, in response to the media coverage, 44 commenters shared personal experiences of diagnostic errors. Additionally, commentary centered on diagnosis-related quality of care as affected by two emergent categories: (1) US health care providers (n=79; 63 commenters) and (2) US health care reform-related policies, most commonly the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and insurance/reimbursement issues (n=62; 47 commenters). CONCLUSION: The public appears to have substantial concerns about the impact of the ACA and other reform initiatives on the diagnosis-related quality of care. However, policy discussions on diagnostic errors are largely absent from the current national conversation on improving quality and safety. Because outpatient diagnostic errors have emerged as a major safety concern, researchers and policymakers should consider evaluating the effects of policy and practice changes on diagnostic accuracy.
BACKGROUND: Diagnostic errors pose a significant threat to patient safety but little is known about public perceptions of diagnostic errors. A study published in BMJ Quality & Safety in 2014 estimated that diagnostic errors affect at least 5% of US adults (or 12 million) per year. We sought to explore online public reactions to media reports on the reported frequency of diagnostic errors in the US adult population. METHODS: We searched the World Wide Web for any news article reporting findings from the study. We then gathered all the online comments made in response to the news articles to evaluate public reaction to the newly reported diagnostic error frequency (n=241). Two coders conducted content analyses of the comments and an experienced qualitative researcher resolved differences. RESULTS: Overall, there were few comments made regarding the frequency of diagnostic errors. However, in response to the media coverage, 44 commenters shared personal experiences of diagnostic errors. Additionally, commentary centered on diagnosis-related quality of care as affected by two emergent categories: (1) US health care providers (n=79; 63 commenters) and (2) US health care reform-related policies, most commonly the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and insurance/reimbursement issues (n=62; 47 commenters). CONCLUSION: The public appears to have substantial concerns about the impact of the ACA and other reform initiatives on the diagnosis-related quality of care. However, policy discussions on diagnostic errors are largely absent from the current national conversation on improving quality and safety. Because outpatient diagnostic errors have emerged as a major safety concern, researchers and policymakers should consider evaluating the effects of policy and practice changes on diagnostic accuracy.
Entities:
Keywords:
diagnostic error burden; public perceptions
Authors: Mark L Graber; Stephanie Kissam; Velma L Payne; Ashley N D Meyer; Asta Sorensen; Nancy Lenfestey; Elizabeth Tant; Kerm Henriksen; Kenneth Labresh; Hardeep Singh Journal: BMJ Qual Saf Date: 2012-04-27 Impact factor: 7.035
Authors: Reema Harrison; Merrilyn Walton; Elizabeth Manias; Jennifer Smith-Merry; Patrick Kelly; Rick Iedema; Lauren Robinson Journal: Int J Qual Health Care Date: 2015-09-29 Impact factor: 2.038
Authors: Hardeep Singh; Mark L Graber; Stephanie M Kissam; Asta V Sorensen; Nancy F Lenfestey; Elizabeth M Tant; Kerm Henriksen; Kenneth A LaBresh Journal: BMJ Qual Saf Date: 2011-11-30 Impact factor: 7.035
Authors: Yael Feinberg; Jennifer A Pereira; Susan Quach; Jeffrey C Kwong; Natasha S Crowcroft; Sarah E Wilson; Maryse Guay; Yang Lei; Shelley L Deeks Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-06-08 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Yang Lei; Jennifer A Pereira; Susan Quach; Julie A Bettinger; Jeffrey C Kwong; Kimberly Corace; Gary Garber; Yael Feinberg; Maryse Guay Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-06-18 Impact factor: 3.240