Diagnostic Error in Mental Health: A Review

Authors

Andrea Bradford
Ashley N D Meyer
Sundas Khan
Traber D Giardina
Hardeep Singh

Publication Date

9-19-2024

Journal

BMJ Quality & Safety

DOI

10.1136/bmjqs-2023-016996

PMID

38575311

PMCID

PMC11503128

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

4-4-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-Print

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Humans, Diagnostic Errors, Mental Disorders, Mental Health Services, Diagnostic errors; Mental health; Medical error, measurement/epidemiology

Abstract

Diagnostic errors are associated with patient harm and suboptimal outcomes. Despite national scientific efforts to advance definition, measurement and interventions for diagnostic error, diagnosis in mental health is not well represented in this ongoing work. We aimed to summarise the current state of research on diagnostic errors in mental health and identify opportunities to align future research with the emerging science of diagnostic safety. We review conceptual considerations for defining and measuring diagnostic error, the application of these concepts to mental health settings, and the methods and subject matter focus of recent studies of diagnostic error in mental health. We found that diagnostic error is well understood to be a problem in mental healthcare. Although few studies used clear definitions or frameworks for understanding diagnostic error in mental health, several studies of missed, wrong, delayed and disparate diagnosis of common mental disorders have identified various avenues for future research and development. Nevertheless, a lack of clear consensus on how to conceptualise, define and measure errors in diagnosis will pose a barrier to advancement. Further research should focus on identifying preventable missed opportunities in the diagnosis of mental disorders, which may uncover generalisable opportunities for improvement.