While pediatric diagnostic safety faces many unique challenges, it is imperative that focus remains on reducing harm attributable to misdiagnosis while continuing to optimize the diagnostic process for patients and families. Recent research and collaborative partnerships across the pediatric care delivery spectrum have increased understanding of the epidemiology of MDOs, potential interventions needed to reduce these errors, and efforts needed to improve patient and caregiver engagement in the diagnostic process.
Pediatric diagnostic safety quality improvement and research efforts with well-defined patient-level measures and outcomes remain behind adult diagnostic safety. But promising initiatives and a growing cadre of researchers are dedicated to advancing this important field in pediatrics. Increased pediatric advocacy, dedicated pediatric diagnostic safety funding, and enhanced training of pediatric-specific providers and researchers are needed to ensure future generations of children receive accurate, timely, and patient-centered diagnoses.
