Misdiagnoser

Misdiagnoser is a term used to describe situations in clinical practice where a patient is given an incorrect diagnosis of a medical condition, or where a correct diagnosis is not established promptly. It encompasses both diagnostic errors that result in the wrong disease being identified and missed or delayed diagnoses.

Causes of misdiagnoser include cognitive factors such as premature closure, anchoring, or availability bias; atypical or overlapping symptom presentations; limitations or errors in testing and interpretation; incomplete information; and breakdowns in communication among patients, clinicians, and laboratories. System factors such as time pressure, access to tests, and fragmented care also contribute.

Misdiagnoser can occur across all medical specialties but is often highlighted in primary care, emergency settings, radiology, and pathology. Common areas of impact include cancer, stroke, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and psychiatric disorders, where incorrect or delayed diagnoses can lead to serious harm. Diagnostic errors are a recognized component of patient-safety concerns, with estimates varying by setting, but widely described as a significant issue in healthcare.

Consequences include delayed or withheld treatment, unnecessary or harmful treatments or procedures, progression of disease, increased costs, and psychological distress, as well as loss of trust and potential legal consequences for clinicians and institutions.

Prevention and response strategies emphasize systematic changes: encouraging second opinions and diagnostic reviews, using checklists and decision-support tools, improving access to prior records and imaging, promoting structured follow-up and patient engagement, and investing in diagnostic safety research and feedback mechanisms.