Medical experts are urging that more attention be placed on misdiagnosis in order to tackle what is defined as an extensive problem.
Appearing as a supplement to the May issue of The American Journal of Medicine, a group of doctors have grouped findings on misdiagnosis, confirming worryingly high rates and suggesting new systems for improvement.
Overseen by guest editors Dr Mark L Graber and Dr Eta S Berner, the study reveals a "nontrivial rate" of diagnostic error which is below five per cent for pathology, radiology, dermatology but rises to ten per cent and 15 per cent in other fields.
The authors write: "Given that physicians overall are highly dedicated and well-intentioned, we believe that if they were more aware of these factors and their own predisposition to error, they would adopt behaviours and attitudes that would help decrease the likelihood of diagnostic error.
"Being confident even when in error is an inherent human trait, and physicians are no exception. The fact that most of their diagnoses are correct, and that effective feedback regarding their errors is lacking, reinforces this inclination."
Drs Berner and Graber are backing up their report with a first national conference that puts the spotlight on medical diagnostic errors, taking place in Phoenix, Arizona.
