Examining Diagnostic Errors in the Field of Otorhinolaryngology within the Challenging Landscape of Limited-Resource Healthcare

• Published in: Indian journal of otolaryngology, and head, and neck surgery Vol. 76; no. 3; pp. 2714 - 2721
• Main Authors: Gangil, Tarun, Rao, Divya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Springer India 01-06-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Head and Neck Surgery; Medical errors; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Otolaryngology; Otorhinolaryngology; ENT diseases; Low-resource healthcare; Otorhinolaryngology; Prevalence; Diagnostic mismatches; Diagnostic accuracy
• ISSN: 2231-3796; 0973-7707
• DOI: 10.1007/s12070-024-04490-5

Diagnostic accuracy is vital in otorhinolaryngology for effective patient care, yet diagnostic mismatches between non-otorhinolaryngology clinicians and ENT specialists can occur. However, studies investigating such mismatches in low-resource healthcare environments are limited. This study aims to analyze diagnostic mismatches in otorhinolaryngology within a low-resource healthcare environment. A publicly available dataset assessing diagnostic outcomes from non-otorhinolaryngology clinicians and ENT specialists was analyzed. The dataset included demographic characteristics, referral diagnoses, and final ENT specialist diagnoses. Descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests were employed to assess the prevalence of diagnostic mismatches and associated factors. The analysis comprised 1544 cases. The prevalence of diagnostic mismatches between non-otorhinolaryngology clinicians and ENT specialists was 67.4%. Certain specific ENT diseases demonstrated higher frequencies of diagnostic mismatches. Factors such as mismatch in the diagnosis and compliance of patient were found to influence the occurrence of diagnostic mismatches. This study highlights the presence of diagnostic mismatches in otorhinolaryngology within a low-resource healthcare environment. The prevalence of these mismatches underscores the need for improved diagnostic practices in such settings. Factors contributing to diagnostic mismatches should be further explored to develop strategies for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reducing diagnostic errors in otorhinolaryngology.