Table 2.

Common Initial (Incorrect) Diagnoses in Patients Who Experienced a Diagnostic Error

Initial (Incorrect) DiagnosisPatients
Benign viral infection35 (17)
Musculoskeletal pain21 (10)
COPD/asthma13 (6)
Benign skin lesion9 (4)
Pneumonia8 (4)
Urinary tract infection7 (3)
Coronary artery disease4 (2)
Constipation4 (2)
Depression4 (2)
Viral gastroenteritis4 (2)
Other*93 (46)
Total202 (100)
  • Values provided as n (%).

  • * Encompasses 60 other initial diagnoses.

  • COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.