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04/23/26

Managing and communicating diagnostic uncertainty in pediatric emergency care: national insights and opportunities for intervention.

Geanacopoulos, Alexandra T; Totman, Molly S; Miller, Kelsey A; Neuman, Mark I; Peltz, Alon. Pediatr. Emerg Care

Collection Topics
Cognition and Decision Making Communication
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Summary

Diagnostic uncertainty communication is essential to diagnostic excellence, influencing safety, trust, escalation, and follow-up, but remains understudied in pediatric emergency care. This interview study explores how emergency physicians manage and communicate uncertainty, revealing it as a multidimensional, contextual experience involving clinicians and caregivers. Communication tools, decision support, and system-level interventions can enhance diagnostic safety.

Read the paper
Geanacopoulos AT, Totman MS, Miller KA, et al. Managing and communicating diagnostic uncertainty in pediatric emergency care: national insights and opportunities for intervention. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2026;42(9):651-659.