AHRQ Improving Diagnostic Safety in Ambulatory Care: Strategies and Interventions (R18)

STATUS: EXPIRED (March 17, 2026). Limited case-by-case acceptance may apply; contact eRA Service Desk.

Research Focus

This program supports demonstration and dissemination projects that develop, test, and evaluate strategies and interventions to improve diagnostic safety and quality in ambulatory care settings. Diagnostic error—defined as failure to establish an accurate, timely explanation of a patient's health problem or communicate that explanation—affects at least 12 million U.S. residents annually and contributes to at least 10% of patient deaths. The program targets the heterogeneous ambulatory care environment (primary care, urgent care, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, mental health, telemedicine, dental care, and others), where the majority of diagnostic care occurs but research has lagged behind hospital-based settings.

AHRQ seeks projects addressing diagnostic inequities linked to age, race/ethnicity, and gender, and those tackling care fragmentation and coordination failures. Demonstration projects may show effectiveness of new processes (e.g., second-opinion protocols, improved diagnosis in patients with multiple comorbidities or atypical presentations) or applications (e.g., computer algorithms for diagnostic accuracy). Dissemination components should target specific clinical practice or public health audiences through champions, contextual adaptation, and accessible materials.

At-a-Glance

• Who can apply: Research institutions and their investigators (specific eligibility criteria not detailed in excerpt)
• Funding & project length: Not stated
• Award mechanism: R18 (Research Demonstration and Dissemination Projects)
• Key dates: Application due January 25, 2024 (first cycle); peer review ~4 months after receipt; earliest start ~4 months after peer review
• Best fit for: Health services researchers, quality improvement specialists, and clinicians in ambulatory care seeking to reduce diagnostic error through process redesign, technology, or implementation science approaches in diverse outpatient settings