The global progress for improving diagnosis: what we've learned, what comes next.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare quality and safety
• Medical diagnostics
• Health policy

Background:

• Global awareness of diagnostic safety has grown significantly since the 2015 National Academies report.
• Progress is evident in high-income countries through research networks, conferences, and educational programs.
• Initiatives in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Japan have advanced diagnostic safety tools, research, and AI applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review global progress in diagnostic safety since 2015.
• To identify disparities in engagement, particularly the limited data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• To propose a cohesive, sustainable worldwide strategy for improving diagnostic safety.

Main Methods:

• Review of international initiatives and advancements in diagnostic safety.
• Analysis of barriers to progress, including resource constraints and infrastructure limitations in LMICs.
• Identification of key domains for future progress: research, education, practice improvement, patient engagement, and policy.

Main Results:

• Significant advancements in diagnostic safety in high-income nations, including reporting systems, educational resources, and AI-based support.
• Uneven global engagement with limited data and challenges in transferring innovations to LMICs.
• Key recommendations include establishing error databases, promoting research in underrepresented settings, expanding curricula, and integrating patient perspectives.

Conclusions:

• Future progress in diagnostic safety requires clear objectives across five key domains.
• International collaboration, context-sensitive methods, and robust governance are crucial for equitable improvements.
• A cohesive global strategy is needed to achieve safer, more reliable diagnosis by 2035.