“Carmel has almost single-handedly established the diagnostic quality and safety field in Australia and New Zealand,” said David Newman-Toker, MD, PhD, President of SIDM.
EVANSTON, Ill. (PRWEB)
October 21, 2020
The Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM) today announced that Carmel Crock, MD has been named recipient of the Mark L. Graber Diagnostic Quality Award. The award will be presented today at the Diagnostic Error in Medicine 13th Annual International Conference. The call for nominations received more than 70 submissions for this honor and the Award Review Committee selected Dr. Crock for her research, advocacy and leadership in the field as well as her efforts to expand the field of diagnostic quality and safety internationally.
Dr. Crock is an emergency physician and director of the Emergency Department at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. She is an associate professor at the University of Melbourne and Chair of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Quality and Patient Safety committee. Her education and research interests include preventing diagnostic error, improving healthcare culture and communication, and exploring the relationship between physician wellbeing and patient safety.
Inaccurate and delayed diagnoses are the most common, catastrophic, and costly of medical errors according to an analysis published in BMJ Quality & Safety. It is estimated that 12 million adults in the United States experience a diagnostic error every year in outpatient settings alone, and diagnosis failures result in as many as 80,000 premature deaths every year in U.S. hospitals. Analysis from Dr. Crock in the Medical Journal of Australia found that in Australia, an estimated 140,000 cases of diagnostic error occur each year, with 21,000 cases of serious harm and 2,000–4,000 deaths.
“Carmel has almost single-handedly established the diagnostic quality and safety field in Australia and New Zealand,” said David Newman-Toker, MD, PhD, President of SIDM. “She brings passion, real-world clinical experience, and humility to her efforts to reduce harm from diagnostic error and in doing so is transforming care delivery and improving the health and safety of Australians and New Zealanders. She is a tremendous leader and role model.”
Dr. Crock has been instrumental in raising awareness of the need to reduce diagnostic error in Australia and New Zealand. She was integral to establishing SIDM’s first international affiliate – ANZA-SIDM. In addition, she was the chair of the Australasian Diagnostic Error in Medicine Conference Organizing Committee in 2017 and 2019.
The Mark L. Graber Diagnostic Quality award is given to a person, group, or organization that has made important contributions to the reduction of diagnostic error. The award recognizes either a total body of work (“lifetime achievement”) or a significant contribution in the field and is named in honor of Mark L. Graber, MD, FACP, SIDM Founder.
In nominating her for the honor, colleagues noted:
“Her continued work to improve diagnostic error, and her commitment to the upcoming generation of diagnostic researchers are a testament to her contribution to reducing diagnostic error now and in the future.”
“Carmel is a passionate advocate of diagnostic excellence, shared decision-making and the quality and safety of patient care.”
“As Chair of the Australian College for Emergency Medicine, she informs new policies to reduce diagnostic error in the ER.”
“Carmel’s commitment and passion for improving healthcare is phenomenal and worthy of global recognition.”
“We knew that when we sought to expand the reach of the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine, Carmel was the only choice to chair our ANZA-SIDM affiliate,” added Paul Epner, President and CEO of SIDM. “As the world grapples with a global pandemic, the challenges of accurate and timely diagnosis have come to the fore. Carmel is a true leader in the field and is now on the frontlines helping reduce misdiagnosis of COVID-19.”
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About the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM)
The Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM) catalyzes and leads change to improve diagnosis and eliminate harm from diagnostic error. We work in partnership with patients, their families, the healthcare community and every interested stakeholder. SIDM is the only organization focused solely on the problem of diagnostic error and improving the accuracy and timeliness of diagnosis. In 2015, SIDM established the Coalition to Improve Diagnosis, to increase awareness and actions that improve diagnosis. Members of the Coalition represent hundreds of thousands of healthcare providers and patients—and the leading health organizations and government agencies involved in patient care. Together, we work to find solutions that enhance diagnostic safety and quality, reduce harm, and ultimately, ensure better health outcomes for patients. Visit http://www.improvediagnosis.org to learn more. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
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