Diagnostic Error: An Overview

Diagnostic error is increasingly identified as a concern in health care. The purposes of this article are to provide an understanding of diagnostic error and its contributing factors and to briefly review strategies to reduce errors. A literature review provided a definition of diagnostic error, a synopsis of diagnostic error prevalence and settings, systemic and individual factors contributing to diagnostic error, and cognitive biases and errors in diagnostic reasoning. Strategies to address diagnostic error are discussed. Diagnostic errors are prevalent across clinical settings, may result in harm, and are preventable. Enhancing the education of health care professionals related to diagnostic reasoning and metacognition, using clinical decision-making tools, and advocating for strong communication practices may reduce diagnostic errors in practice settings.