Start date: Jan 2025 | Expected completion date: Nov 2025 / Spring 2026 | Contact: Michelle Richardson
What do we want to know?
Diagnostic errors in primary care have been recognised as a priority safety area globally. Diagnostic errors for cancer in primary care are thought to be particularly prevalent and problematic causing considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of this research is to develop understanding of the potential public health impact of interventions for reducing diagnostic errors in cancer within primary care general practice.
Who wants to know?
This independent research report was commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research Policy Research Programme for the Department of Health and Social Care. The findings may be of interest to national and local policymakers and commissioners, clinicians, researchers and patients and public.
What are the research questions?
- What is the extent of current evidence evaluating the impact of interventions for reducing diagnostic errors in cancer care within primary care general practice?
- What subtopic(s) would be an appropriate focus for an informative in-depth review of outcome evaluations of interventions in this area?
How will we answer these questions?
Stage 1 involves the production of an Evidence and Gap Map (EGM) that will provide a high level overview of the evidence on interventions for reducing diagnostic errors in cancer care within primary care general practice. The EGM will help inform the scope of an Effectiveness Review in Stage 2 on this topic, which will be registered as a separate protocol.
