Causes of diagnostic pitfalls upon analysis results of «physicians’ causes»

Abstract

130 criminal and civil cases had been maintained against physicians in Tomsk region within 1996—2002. There were pitfalls in diagnoses and wrong medical aid in 59 (45,4%) cases. Across diagnostic pitfalls, such as incomplete examination of patients, incomplete registration of laboratory results etc., there were methodological errors. It is known that diagnosis process proceeds in hypothesis form at all stages. While obtaining the history a physician is guided by suppositions arising during inquiring a patient. These suppositions are later verified in the process of an objective examination of the patient. Therefore the most frequent reasons of medical errors are the final diagnosis on the basis of the history and physicians’ inability to use the diagnostic suppositions while diagnosing at all stages. The majority of pitfalls has been made in diagnoses of appendicitis, stomach and duodenum perforated ulcer.