Methodologies for evaluating strategies to reduce diagnostic error: report from the research summit at the 7th International Diagnostic Error in Medicine Conference

Diagnosis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beau B. Bruce ◽  
Robert El-Kareh ◽  
John W. Ely ◽  
Michael H. Kanter ◽  
Goutham Rao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Diagnostic Errors ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Diagnostic Error ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Error Mitigation ◽  
Safety Research ◽  
Diagnostic Research ◽  
Cluster Randomized

AbstractIn this article we review current evidence on strategies to evaluate diagnostic error solutions, discuss the methodological challenges that exist in investigating the value of these strategies in patient care, and provide recommendations for methods that can be applied in investigating potential solutions to diagnostic errors. These recommendations were developed iteratively by the authors based upon initial discussions held during the Research Summit of the 7th Annual Diagnostic Error in Medicine Conference in September 2014. The recommendations include the following elements for designing studies of diagnostic research solutions: (1) Select direct and indirect outcomes measures of importance to patients, while also practical for the particular solution; (2) Develop a clearly-stated logic model for the solution to be tested; (3) Use rapid, iterative prototyping in the early phases of solution testing; (4) Use cluster-randomized clinical trials where feasible; (5) Avoid simple pre-post designs, in favor of stepped wedge and interrupted time series; (6) Leverage best practices for patient safety research and engage experts from relevant domains; and (7) Consider sources of bias and design studies and their analyses to minimize selection and information bias and control for confounding. Areas of diagnostic error mitigation research identified for further attention include: role of competing diagnoses, understanding the impacts of organizational culture, timing of diagnosis, and sequencing of research studies. Future research will likely require novel clinical, health services, and qualitative research methods to address the age-old problem of arriving at an accurate diagnosis.

Feasibility of patient-reported diagnostic errors following emergency department discharge: a pilot study

Diagnosis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly T. Gleason ◽  
Susan Peterson ◽  
Cheryl R. Dennison Himmelfarb ◽  
Mariel Villanueva ◽  
Taylor Wynn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Diagnostic Errors ◽  
Diagnostic Error ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clinical Predictors ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Patient’S Experience ◽  
Emergency Department Discharge ◽  
Measured Response

AbstractObjectivesThe National Academy of Medicine identified diagnostic error as a pressing public health concern and defined failure to effectively communicate the diagnosis to patients as a diagnostic error. Leveraging Patient’s Experience to improve Diagnosis (LEAPED) is a new program for measuring patient-reported diagnostic error. As a first step, we sought to assess the feasibility of using LEAPED after emergency department (ED) discharge.MethodsWe deployed LEAPED using a cohort design at three EDs within one academic health system. We enrolled 59 patients after ED discharge and queried them about their health status and understanding of the explanation for their health problems at 2-weeks, 1-month, and 3-months. We measured response rates and demographic/clinical predictors of patient uptake of LEAPED.ResultsOf those enrolled (n=59), 90% (n=53) responded to the 2-week post-ED discharge questionnaire (1 and 3-month ongoing). Of the six non-responders, one died and three were hospitalized at two weeks. The average age was 50 years (SD 16) and 64% were female; 53% were white and 41% were black. Over a fifth (23%) reported they were not given an explanation of their health problem on leaving the ED, and of those, a fourth (25%) did not have an understanding of what next steps to take after leaving the ED.ConclusionsPatient uptake of LEAPED was high, suggesting that patient-report may be a feasible method of evaluating the effectiveness of diagnostic communication to patients though further testing in a broader patient population is essential. Future research should determine if LEAPED yields important insights into the quality and safety of diagnostic care.

The Role of Iron in Pediatric Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (04) ◽  
pp. 439-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Felt ◽  
Tiffany Munzer
Keyword(s):  
Restless Legs Syndrome ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Periodic Limb Movements ◽  
Limb Movements ◽  
Restless Legs

AbstractRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common and treatable neurologic condition in pediatric patients, with a prevalence as high as 2 to 3%. The diagnosis of RLS is made clinically based on an urge to move the legs accompanied by lower extremity discomfort that occurs during rest usually later in the day and is relieved by movement. Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) can overlap with RLS, although PLMS also exists as a separate entity characterized by stereotyped movements of lower extremities in sleep. Both conditions may be highly debilitating and interfere with daily function notably in the areas of educational attainment and behavioral regulation. Iron deficiency has been implicated in the pathophysiology of both RLS and PLMS. Current evidence suggests that treatment of ferritin levels < 50 µg/L may be beneficial in improving pediatric RLS symptoms and comorbid conditions or daytime dysfunction associated with RLS. Areas for future research include (1) clarifying the ferritin or other iron status measure level which predicts iron treatment will provide symptom improvement in pediatric patients, and (2) randomized clinical trials using iron therapy to determine the degree and duration of treatment.

Use of Reflective Practice to Increase Diagnostic Accuracy

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-139
Author(s):  
Martin Caliendo ◽  
Joanna Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Evaluation Studies ◽  
Diagnostic Errors ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Diagnostic Error ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information Synthesis ◽  
Methodological Foundation

Diagnostic error accounts for up to 17 percent of all adverse patient outcomes. Cognitive errors, in particular faulty information synthesis, accounts for the majority of these diagnostic errors. Reflective practice is reported as a strategy to improve diagnostic accuracy. The theoretic foundation to use reflective practice to decrease diagnostic error is well developed; however, empirical support is lacking and inconsistent. To address this gap, the author conducted an integrative review to critically evaluate the evidence in support of intervention for training in reflective practice to improve the diagnostic accuracy of clinicians’ decision making. We discuss our findings on the analytical, theoretical and methodological foundation of current evaluation studies on training in reflective practice patterns, in addition to identifying gaps in knowledge that will guide potential areas for future research.

Identifying trigger concepts to screen emergency department visits for diagnostic errors

Diagnosis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prashant Mahajan ◽  
Chih-Wen Pai ◽  
Karen S. Cosby ◽  
Cynthia J. Mollen ◽  
Kathy N. Shaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Diagnostic Errors ◽  
Diagnostic Error ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Office Referrals ◽  
Vital Component

AbstractObjectivesThe diagnostic process is a vital component of safe and effective emergency department (ED) care. There are no standardized methods for identifying or reliably monitoring diagnostic errors in the ED, impeding efforts to enhance diagnostic safety. We sought to identify trigger concepts to screen ED records for diagnostic errors and describe how they can be used as a measurement strategy to identify and reduce preventable diagnostic harm.MethodsWe conducted a literature review and surveyed ED directors to compile a list of potential electronic health record (EHR) trigger (e-triggers) and non-EHR based concepts. We convened a multidisciplinary expert panel to build consensus on trigger concepts to identify and reduce preventable diagnostic harm in the ED.ResultsSix e-trigger and five non-EHR based concepts were selected by the expert panel. E-trigger concepts included: unscheduled ED return to ED resulting in hospital admission, death following ED visit, care escalation, high-risk conditions based on symptom-disease dyads, return visits with new diagnostic/therapeutic interventions, and change of treating service after admission. Non-EHR based signals included: cases from mortality/morbidity conferences, risk management/safety office referrals, ED medical director case referrals, patient complaints, and radiology/laboratory misreads and callbacks. The panel suggested further refinements to aid future research in defining diagnostic error epidemiology in ED settings.ConclusionsWe identified a set of e-trigger concepts and non-EHR based signals that could be developed further to screen ED visits for diagnostic safety events. With additional evaluation, trigger-based methods can be used as tools to monitor and improve ED diagnostic performance.

Resveratrol Supplementation in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Elgebaly ◽  
Ibrahim A. I. Radwan ◽  
Mohamed M. AboElnas ◽  
Hamza H. Ibrahim ◽  
Moutaz F. M. Eltoomy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background: Resveratrol is a potential treatment option for management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, and calorie restriction-like effects. We aimed to synthesise evidence from published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) about the efficacy of resveratrol in the management of NAFLD.Methods: A computer literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central was conducted using relevant keywords. Records were screened for eligible studies and data were extracted and synthesized using Review Manager Version 5.3 for windows. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted.Results: Four RCTs (n=158 patients) were included in the final analysis. The overall effect estimates did not favor resveratrol group in terms of: serum ALT (MD -2.89, 95%CI [-15.66, 9.88], p=0.66), serum AST (MD -3.59, 95%CI [-13.82, 6.63], p=0.49), weight (MD -0.18, 95%CI [-0.92, 0.55], p=0.63), BMI (MD -0.10, 95 %CI [-0.43, 0.24], p=0.57), blood glucose level (MD -0.27, 95%CI [-0.55, 0.01], p=0.05), insulin level (MD -0.12, 95%CI [-0.69, 0.46], p=0.69), triglyceride level (MD 0.04, 95%CI [-0.45, 0.53], p=0.87), and LDL level (MD 0.21, 95%CI [-0.41, 0.83], p=0.51). Pooled studies were heterogeneous.Conclusion: Current evidence is insufficient to support the efficacy of resveratrol in the management of NAFLD. Resveratrol does not attenuate the degree of liver fibrosis or show a significant decrease in any of its parameters.Abbreviations: ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; BMI: Body mass index; CK-18: Cytokeratin-18; CRP: C-reactive protein; HC: Head circumference; HDL: High density lipoprotein; IL-6: Interleukin-6; LDL: Low density lipoprotein; MD: Mean difference; NAFLD: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; NASH: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; RCT: Randomized Controlled Trial; RR: Relative risk; SIRT1: Silent information regulation 2 homologue 1; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor α; WC: Waist circumference; WHR: Waist hip ratio.

The application of virtual reality in health professions� digital education: a narrative review (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Tudor Car ◽  
Bhone Myint Kyaw ◽  
Josip Car
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Health Professions Education ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Educational Content ◽  
Potential Applications

BACKGROUND Digital technology called Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly employed in health professions’ education. Yet, based on the current evidence, its use is narrowed around a few most applications and disciplines. There is a lack of an overview that would capture the diversity of different VR applications in health professions’ education and inform its use and research. OBJECTIVE This narrative review aims to explore different potential applications of VR in health professions’ education. METHODS The narrative synthesis approach to literature review was used to analyse the existing evidence. RESULTS We outline the role of VR features such as immersion, interactivity and feedback and explain the role of VR devices. Based on the type and scope of educational content VR can represent space, individuals, objects, structures or their combination. Application of VR in medical education encompasses environmental, organ and micro level. Environmental VR focuses on training in relation to health professionals’ environment and human interactions. Organ VR educational content targets primarily human body anatomy; and micro VR microscopic structures at the level of cells, molecules and atoms. We examine how different VR features and health professional education areas match these three VR types. CONCLUSIONS We conclude by highlighting the gaps in the literature and providing suggestions for future research.

Institutions and the Embedded Entrepreneur

2019 ◽  
pp. 115-134
Author(s):  
Maryann Feldman ◽  
Paige Clayton
Keyword(s):  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Institutional Logic ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Regional Resources

This chapter examines the relationship between entrepreneurs and the communities in which they are embedded. It argues that the actions of entrepreneurs and their firms are contextually situated in specific geographies that make their actions endogenous in the development of place and define a place-specific institutional logic. This argument is at odds with the view that industry clustering is due to the role of incumbent firms. This chapter reconciles these views by adopting a temporal view, allowing both incumbents and geography to co-occur and influence clustering. It then considers the current evidence of entrepreneurs’ effects on regional resources and capacity, and concludes with suggestions for future research.

scholarly journals The Economic, Social, and Environmental Impacts of Farmers Markets: Recent Evidence from the US

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3423
Author(s):  
Phillip Warsaw ◽  
Steven Archambault ◽  
Arden He ◽  
Stacy Miller
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
The United States ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Regional Food ◽  
Recent Scholarship ◽  
Fresh Food

Farmers markets are regular, recurring gatherings at a common facility or area where farmers and ranchers directly sell a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other locally grown farm products to consumers. Markets rebuild and maintain local and regional food systems, leading to an outsized impact on the food system relative to their share of produce sales. Previous research has demonstrated the multifaceted impacts that farmers markets have on the communities, particularly economically. Recent scholarship in the United States has expanded inquiry into social impacts that markets have on communities, including improving access to fresh food products and increasing awareness of the sustainable agricultural practices adopted by producers, as well developing tools for producers and market stakeholders to measure their impact on both producers and communities. This paper reviews the recent scholarship on farmers markets to identify recent trends and synthesizes the current evidence describing the ways in which farmers markets contribute to the wellbeing of their communities, as well as identifying areas for additional future research.

Ways that nurse practitioner students self-explain during diagnostic reasoning

Diagnosis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Burt ◽  
Susan Corbridge ◽  
Colleen Corte ◽  
Laurie Quinn ◽  
Lorna Finnegan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Nurse Practitioner ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Diagnostic Errors ◽  
Diagnostic Reasoning ◽  
Knowledge Structures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Biological Knowledge ◽  
Care Providers

Abstract Objectives An important step in mitigating the burden of diagnostic errors is strengthening diagnostic reasoning among health care providers. A promising way forward is through self-explanation, the purposeful technique of generating self-directed explanations to process novel information while problem-solving. Self-explanation actively improves knowledge structures within learners’ memories, facilitating problem-solving accuracy and acquisition of knowledge. When students self-explain, they make sense of information in a variety of unique ways, ranging from simple restatements to multidimensional thoughts. Successful problem-solvers frequently use specific, high-quality self-explanation types. The unique types of self-explanation present among nurse practitioner (NP) student diagnosticians have yet to be explored. This study explores the question: How do NP students self-explain during diagnostic reasoning? Methods Thirty-seven Family NP students enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at a large, Midwestern U.S. university diagnosed three written case studies while self-explaining. Dual methodology content analyses facilitated both deductive and qualitative descriptive analysis. Results Categories emerged describing the unique ways that NP student diagnosticians self-explain. Nine categories of inference self-explanations included clinical and biological foci. Eight categories of non-inference self-explanations monitored students’ understanding of clinical data and reflect shallow information processing. Conclusions Findings extend the understanding of self-explanation use during diagnostic reasoning by affording a glimpse into fine-grained knowledge structures of NP students. NP students apply both clinical and biological knowledge, actively improving immature knowledge structures. Future research should examine relationships between categories of self-explanation and markers of diagnostic success, a step in developing prompted self-explanation learning interventions.

scholarly journals Impact of Shift Work and Long Working Hours on Worker Cognitive Functions: Current Evidence and Future Research Needs

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6540
Author(s):  
Veruscka Leso ◽  
Luca Fontana ◽  
Angela Caturano ◽  
Ilaria Vetrani ◽  
Mauro Fedele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Night Work ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Long Working Hours ◽  
Main Determinants

Particular working conditions and/or organization of working time may cause important sleep disturbances that have been proposed to be predictive of cognitive decline. In this regard, circadian rhythm misalignment induced by exposure to night work or long working hours would be responsible for cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, evidence supporting this correlation is limited and several issues still need to be elucidated. In this regard, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the association between shift/night work and cognitive impairment and address its main determinants. Information provided by the reviewed studies suggested that night work might have serious immediate negative effects especially on cognitive domains related to attention, memory and response inhibition. Furthermore, cognitive performance would progressively worsen over consecutive night shifts or following exposure to very long work shifts. Otherwise, conflicting results emerged regarding the possible etiological role that night work chronic exposure would have on cognitive impairment. Therefore, circadian rhythm desynchronization, lack of sleep and fatigue resulting from night work may negatively impact worker’s cognitive efficiency. However, in light of the considerable methodological variability of the reviewed studies, we proposed to develop a standardized research and evaluation strategy in order to obtain a better and comprehensive understanding of this topic.

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