Turyasiima Munanura, Niwampeire Prima Maria, Ssendyona Martin, Akot Balbina Gillian, Acheng Miriam, Katongole Simon Peter, Okware Joseph, Tumwikirize Juliet, Mutesasira Kenneth, Atepo Joshua, Kaitiritimba Robinah, Epuitai Joshua, Tumwesigye Benson Tuhwezeine, Turinawe Gaston, Mutumba Robert, Ndifuna Martin, Musinguzi Geofrey, Kemigisa Denise Asaba
Department of Standards Compliance Accreditation and Patient Protection, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.
Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda.
Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2025 May 14;17:135-143. doi: 10.2147/DHPS.S520743. eCollection 2025.
The 4th World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) 2024 commemoration in Uganda, themed "Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety", highlighted critical challenges and opportunities in reducing diagnostic errors within healthcare systems. This review synthesizes key insights from the event, focusing on factors contributing to diagnostic inaccuracies, systemic gaps, and actionable strategies for improvement.
Using a qualitative synthesis approach guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ), we analyzed data from a hybrid webinar (210 participants) and a four-day medical camp (600+ patients served). Thematic analysis identified four key areas: (i) factors influencing diagnostic errors, (ii) the role of laboratory and imaging services in diagnosis error prevention, (iii) existing health system interventions, and (iv) patient empowerment in the diagnostic process.
Diagnostic errors in Uganda stem from cognitive biases, systemic inefficiencies (eg, understaffing, inadequate equipment), and financial barriers in private healthcare. Strengthening laboratory capacity, digitizing health records, and enhancing provider-patient communication emerged as pivotal solutions. The Ministry of Health's initiatives such as laboratory accreditation, the 5S quality improvement framework, and patient feedback mechanisms demonstrate progress but require scaling.
We propose a multi-level approach: (1) national policies for error reporting and patient safety frameworks, (2) expanded supportive supervision and digitization (eg, EHRs with decision support), (3) stricter regulation of private healthcare, and (4) community engagement to improve health literacy and early care-seeking.
Reducing diagnostic errors demands systemic reforms, technological integration, and collaborative stakeholder engagement. Uganda's WPSD 2024 insights offer a model for similar low-resource settings to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.
2024年乌干达第四届世界患者安全日（WPSD）纪念活动的主题是“提高诊断水平以保障患者安全”，该活动突出了医疗系统在减少诊断错误方面的关键挑战和机遇。本综述综合了该活动的关键见解，重点关注导致诊断不准确的因素、系统差距以及可采取的改进策略。
我们采用了由定性研究报告统一标准（COREQ）指导的定性综合方法，分析了来自一场混合网络研讨会（210名参与者）和一个为期四天的医疗营（服务600多名患者）的数据。主题分析确定了四个关键领域：（i）影响诊断错误的因素，（ii）实验室和影像服务在预防诊断错误中的作用，（iii）现有的卫生系统干预措施，以及（iv）患者在诊断过程中的赋权。
乌干达的诊断错误源于认知偏差、系统效率低下（如人员不足、设备不足）以及私立医疗保健中的经济障碍。加强实验室能力、将健康记录数字化以及加强医患沟通成为关键解决方案。卫生部的举措，如实验室认证、5S质量改进框架和患者反馈机制已取得进展，但需要扩大规模。
我们提出一种多层次方法：（1）制定错误报告和患者安全框架的国家政策，（2）扩大支持性监督和数字化（如带有决策支持的电子健康记录），（3）对私立医疗保健进行更严格的监管，以及（4）社区参与以提高健康素养和早期就医意识。
减少诊断错误需要进行系统改革、技术整合以及利益相关者的协作参与。2024年乌干达世界患者安全日的见解为类似资源匮乏地区提高诊断准确性和患者安全提供了一个模式。
