Failure to Diagnose or Delay in Diagnosis Accounts for Most Malpractice Claims in Primary Care

In this systematic review, investigators examined the epidemiology of malpractice claims in primary care. Overall, 34 studies that included data on malpractice claims (defined as “a written demand for compensation for medical injury”) in primary care were analyzed. Fifteen studies were from the U.S., 9 from Great Britain, 7 from Australia, 2 from France, and 1 from Canada.

Death was the most common patient outcome (15%–48%), and failure to diagnose or delay in diagnosis accounted for most claims (26%–63%). In adults, the most common missed or delayed diagnoses were cancer, myocardial infarction, appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, and fractures. In children, the most common missed or delayed diagnoses varied by age (meningitis accounted for a t…