ArticleBMC primary care2024
How is diagnostic uncertainty communicated and managed in real world primary care settings?
Article in BMC primary care, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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The trial behind it
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed.
- Experiences among men with localised urinary tract infection in primary care: a qualitative study.Scandinavian journal of primary health care · 2026Article
- Urgent, but Not Certain: A Systematic Environmental Scan and Content Analysis of Publicly Available Patient Information for Suspected-Cancer Referral in England.Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education · 2026Article
- Safety-netting communication during telephone consultations: an observational study using recorded consultations.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026Observational
- Managing diagnostic uncertainty in primary care: a mixed-methods study of family physicians' experiences in Türkiye.BMC primary care · 2026Article
- Culpable in the face of uncertainty? A perspective from military intelligence.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026Article
- Clinical Characteristics, Aetiologies, and Disposition Outcomes of Patients Presenting with Altered Mental Status in an Academic Emergency Department.Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) · 2026Article
- Anticipating Uncertainty: A New Frontier in Family Medicine Training.Family medicine · 2025Article
- How GPs communicate the urgent suspected cancer referral pathway to patients: a qualitative study of GP-patient consultations.BJGP open · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundManaging diagnostic uncertainty is a major challenge in primary care due to factors such as the absence of definitive tests, variable symptom presentations and disease evolution. Maintaining patient trust during a period of investigative uncertainty, whilst minimising scope for diagnostic error is a challenge. Mismanagement can lead to diagnostic errors, treatment delays, and suboptimal patient outcomes.
objectiveOur aim was to explore how UK primary care physicians (GPs) address and communicate diagnostic uncertainty in practice.
designThis qualitative study used video and audio-recordings. Verbatim transcripts were coded with a modified, validated tool to capture GPs' actions and communication in primary care consultations that included diagnostic uncertainty. The tool includes items relating to advice regarding new symptoms or symptom deterioration (sometimes called 'safety netting'). Video data was analysed to identify GP and patient body postures during and after the delivery of the management plan.
participantsAll patient participants had a consultation with a GP, were over the age of 50 and had (1) at least one new presenting problem or (2) one persistent problem that was undiagnosed. APPROACH: Data collection occurred in GP-patient consultations during 2017-2018 across 7 practices in UK during 2017-2018. KEY
resultsGPs used various management strategies to address diagnostic uncertainty, including (1) symptom monitoring without treatment, (2) prescribed treatment with symptom monitoring, and (3) addressing risks that could arise from administrative tasks. GPs did not make management plans for potential treatment side effects. Specificity of uncertainty management plans varied among GPs, with only some offering detailed actions and timescales. The transfer of responsibility for the management plan to patients was usually delivered rather than negotiated, with most patients confirming acceptance before concluding the discussion.
conclusionsWe offer guidance to healthcare professionals, improving awareness of using and communicating management plans for diagnostic uncertainty.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.