Learning from diagnostic errors to improve patient safety when GPs work in or alongside emergency departments: incorporating realist methodology into patient safety incident report analysis

Table 3 Diagnostic error definitions [33]

Diagnostic error definitions
Diagnostic error	The failure to (a) establish an accurate and timely explanation of the patient’s health problem(s) or (b) communicate that explanation to the patient.
Wrong diagnosis	Occurs, for example, if a patient truly having a heart attack is told their pain is from gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Delayed diagnosis	The diagnosis should have been made earlier.
Missed diagnosis	Medical complaints never explained, or more specific complaints never accurately diagnosed.

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