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Reducing diagnostic error through medical home-based primary care reform
Singh, H., & Graber, M. (2010). Reducing diagnostic error through medical home-based primary care reform. JAMA, 304(4), 463-464. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.1035
If implemented correctly, the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) can potentially address many current safety concerns in primary care. One highly relevant but underemphasized safety concern is diagnostic error (ie, missed, delayed, or incorrect diagnosis),1 possibly the leading type of error in primary care. Diagnostic errors are the single largest contributor to ambulatory malpractice claims (40% in some studies) and cost approximately $300 000 per claim on average.2 The joint principles endorsed by major US primary care organizations envision practice changes to improve coordination, communication, and continuity of care, deficits of which are associated with diagnostic errors. Also integral to the PCMH concept are electronic health records (EHRs), which, despite their current limitations, can enhance access to data and advanced decision support to reduce diagnostic error.3 However, PCMH models as currently envisioned do not address other fundamental and deeply rooted systems and cognitive problems that cause diagnostic error.…