Managing diagnostic uncertainty in primary care: a systematic critical review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Diagnostic uncertainty is one of the largest contributory factors to the occurrence of diagnostic errors across most specialties in medicine and arguably uncertainty is greatest in primary care due to the undifferentiated symptoms primary care physicians are often presented with. Physicians can respond to diagnostic uncertainty in various ways through the interplay of a series of cognitive, emotional and ethical reactions. The consequences of such uncertainty however can impact negatively upon the primary care practitioner, their patients and the wider healthcare system. Understanding the nature of the existing empirical literature in relation to managing diagnostic uncertainty in primary medical care is a logical and necessary first step in order to understand what solu

SUBMITTER: Alam R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5545872 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature