Defining and Measuring Diagnostic Uncertainty in Medicine: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Physicians routinely encounter diagnostic uncertainty in practice. Despite its impact on health care utilization, costs and error, measurement of diagnostic uncertainty is poorly understood. We conducted a systematic review to describe how diagnostic uncertainty is defined and measured in medical practice.

Methods

We searched OVID Medline and PsycINFO databases from inception until May 2017 using a combination of keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Additional search strategies included manual review of references identified in the primary search, use of a topic-specific database (AHRQ-PSNet) and expert input. We specifically focused on articles that (1) defined diagnostic uncertainty; (2) conceptualized diagnostic uncertainty in terms of its sources, com

SUBMITTER: Bhise V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5756158 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature