The Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine’s legacy: building a foundation for diagnostic excellence

Abstract

The Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM) played a pivotal role in elevating diagnostic error from an overlooked aspect of patient safety to a recognized healthcare priority during its thirteen-year history (2011–2024). Through strategic advocacy, coalition building, and engagement with policymakers, SIDM secured dedicated federal funding for diagnostic safety research and promoted diagnostic excellence as a critical healthcare imperative. This article examines the organization’s establishment, evolution and lasting impact on the field of diagnostic safety across research, education, practice improvement, and patient engagement. A crowning achievement was SIDM’s success in stimulating the Institute of Medicine to study the problem, resulting in the landmark 2015 report Improving Diagnosis in Health Care (1). Despite the transformative impact of this report, substantial challenges remain in reducing harm from diagnostic error. We conclude with a call to address gaps in three critical areas: awareness, measurement, and implementation.