JAMA Network: Achieving Diagnostic Excellence for Older Patients
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network has published a Viewpoint paper, "Achieving Diagnostic Excellence for Older Patients."
"In the U.S., an estimated 54 million people are aged 65 years or older, accounting for 20% of the population, and people older than 85 years are the fastest growing population segment. Among the many implications for health care, the aging demographic profile requires attention to the essential clinical skill of diagnosis."
Coauthored by Christine Cassel, MD, UCSF School of Medicine Professor, and JAHF President Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, this paper discusses the need, challenges and process of achieving diagnostic excellence in older patients. The authors note that, "Diagnostic error in older adults is common and involves both overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis," and state that findings from a recent study showed rates of diagnostic error in adults older than 65 were greater than 10%.
Some of the challenges to achieving diagnostic excellence discussed in the paper include: differences in disease expression, communication challenges, the complexity of multiple conditions, and ageism. The authors detail how to practice diagnostic excellence and provide five key points for diagnostic excellence.
To read the paper, click here.
