103
OPHTHALMOLOGY BUSINESS
February 2017
digital.ophthalmologybusiness.org
Contact information
Custer: custer@wustl.edu
Parikh: dparikh@piaa.us
you think of this case? Alternative-
ly, ask yourself what the next most
likely explanation for the patient's
symptoms would be if your initial
diagnosis was incorrect."
If a patient is not improving
during a course of treatment, Dr.
Custer added that it might be time
to step back and reevaluate the
diagnosis.
Ms. Parikh recommended physi-
cians take a team approach.
"More minds always help; make
sure you're not working in a silo.
Health care professionals should also
include patients as team members to
facilitate patient engagement in the
diagnostic process," she said, adding
that communication and documen-
tation are vital in prevention of
these issues.
While arriving at the right
diagnosis might be the clinician's
job, there is certainly a role for the
patient. The Institute of Medicine
adapted a checklist for patients from
the National Patient Safety Founda-
tion and Society to Improve Diagno-
sis in Medicine to aid in their own
diagnosis.
2
It included being clear,
complete, and accurate in describ-
ing the ailment; remembering the
side effects, progression, and family
history; keeping good records and
understanding test results; and other
steps to encourage them to take
charge of their health. EW
References
1. Institute of Medicine. Improving diagnosis
in health care. Quality chasm series. The
National Academies Press. 2015.
2. Institute of Medicine. Improving diagnosis in
health care: Resources for patients, families,
and health care professionals. Quality chasm
series. The National Academies Press. 2015.
Editors' note: The sources have no
financial interests related to their com-
ments. Kwon Miller, research database
manager for PIAA, contributed to the
analysis from PIAA's database.
Check out the December 2016
issue of Ophthalmology Business at
digital.ophthalmologybusiness.org
In this issue:
• How potential patient research
improves your LASIK marketing
• Value-add services that a practice
can offer to better serve patients
• Insurance policies that you really need
... and more!
An
ASCRS
Publication
December
2016
digital.OphthalmologyBusiness.org
DEVICE
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P.
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The
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P.
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"
More minds always help;
make sure you're not working
in a silo. Health care professionals
should also include patients
as team members to facilitate
patient engagement in the
diagnostic process.
"
–P. Divya Parikh
