Engaging Patients to Advance Diagnostic Excellence: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief.

The National Academies’ Forum on Advancing Diagnostic Excellence hosted a hybrid workshop on strengthening patient, caregiver, and family engagement in diagnosis to reduce diagnostic errors. Discussions emphasized active participation, stronger clinician communication, partnership with families, and intentional inclusion of patients and caregivers in health system design. Key approaches included communication tools, caregiver involvement, transparent discussion of diagnostic uncertainty, responsible use of digital tools and AI, and systems that ensure patients are heard, respected, supported, and included throughout diagnosis.