Physician-Reported Diagnostic Uncertainty Among Children Discharged From the Pediatric Emergency Department With Acute Respiratory Illness

Key Points

• This research aims to explore the prevalence and implications of diagnostic uncertainty in pediatric emergency department discharges for acute respiratory illness.
• Evaluated physician-reported diagnostic uncertainty during discharge from the emergency department.
• Analyzed communication methods used with families regarding uncertain diagnoses.
• Identified challenges faced by healthcare providers in communicating uncertainty.
• Nearly one-third of pediatric patients discharged showed signs of diagnostic uncertainty.
• Communication strategies varied significantly among healthcare providers.
• Several challenges in conveying uncertainty to families were identified.