Cancer Patients Experience of Perceived Diagnostic Error: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Literature Review: Qualitative evidence of the experience of doctors in training encountering clinical errors was synthesised following a systematic literature search. A meta-ethnographic approach to metasynthesis was used to develop two third order themes which were novel to the existent literature; i) in error trainees revealed as being betwixt and between and; ii) professional assimilation at a cost. These findings captured the psychological and emotional experience of error as being situated within a wider context of medical culture and learning for participants as they acclimatized and internalized socially available response to error. Implications for practice and future research are considered. Research Report: The experience of 6 participants who believed they had experienced diagnostic error (missed, delayed or incorrect) prior to a correct diagnosis of cancer. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach was undertaken. Three superordinate themes were identified; i) diagnostic error as invalidating; ii) shifting appraisals of diagnostic error during the cancer journey; and, iii) seeking reconstruction of the self. Themes were considered in relation to their contribution to current understanding of diagnostic error and cancer survivorship research. Clinical implications and critique were identified in addition for future directions for research. Critical Appraisal: The researcher’s account of the research process, reflections, personal learning and critique are offered.