Discrepancies between pathologists and clinicians in interpretation of diagnostic uncertainty in surgical pathology reports
Abstract Pathologists frequently express diagnostic uncertainty in pathology reports, but such expressions may be interpreted differently by clinicians, potentially influencing patient management. This study evaluated how clinicians and pathologists interpret commonly used uncertain phrases in patho...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11032-8 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849333326198865920 |
|---|---|
| author | Khairat Battah Arwa Battah Iyad Farouji Shifaa’ Al Qa’qa’ Ruba Malkawi Maram Abdeljalel Omar Alzu’bi Abdelrahman Al-ammori Ayyub Masuod Mohammad AlKhreisat |
| author_facet | Khairat Battah Arwa Battah Iyad Farouji Shifaa’ Al Qa’qa’ Ruba Malkawi Maram Abdeljalel Omar Alzu’bi Abdelrahman Al-ammori Ayyub Masuod Mohammad AlKhreisat |
| author_sort | Khairat Battah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Pathologists frequently express diagnostic uncertainty in pathology reports, but such expressions may be interpreted differently by clinicians, potentially influencing patient management. This study evaluated how clinicians and pathologists interpret commonly used uncertain phrases in pathology reports and explored factors that influence the degree of certainty conveyed. A two-phase cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jordan. In the first phase, pathologists assessed the level of certainty associated with diagnostic phrases and identified key factors guiding their wording choices. In the second phase, clinicians evaluated the same phrases and reported on the usefulness of different communication methods and comment sections in reports. The results revealed significant variability in interpretation between and within both professional groups. Pathologists’ use of uncertain language was primarily influenced by sample cellularity and diagnostic implications. These findings highlight the importance of improving clarity in pathology reporting and fostering direct communication between clinicians and pathologists to enhance shared understanding and ensure appropriate clinical decision-making. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-33bfdea2463d41f19ea40ca9e5e6aa58 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-33bfdea2463d41f19ea40ca9e5e6aa582025-08-20T03:45:53ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511910.1038/s41598-025-11032-8Discrepancies between pathologists and clinicians in interpretation of diagnostic uncertainty in surgical pathology reportsKhairat Battah0Arwa Battah1Iyad Farouji2Shifaa’ Al Qa’qa’3Ruba Malkawi4Maram Abdeljalel5Omar Alzu’bi6Abdelrahman Al-ammori7Ayyub Masuod8Mohammad AlKhreisat9Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied UniversityNephrology Department, Rutgers University, University HospitalCardiology department, New Yourk Medical College at Saint Michaels Medical CenterDepartment of Pathology, Microbiology, and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied UniversityCollege of Pharmacy, Jadara UniversityDepartment of Pathology, Microbiology, and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of JordanDepartment of Pathology, Microbiology, and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied UniversityDepartment of Pathology, Microbiology, and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied UniversityDepartment of Pathology, Microbiology, and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied UniversityDepartment of Special Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied UniversityAbstract Pathologists frequently express diagnostic uncertainty in pathology reports, but such expressions may be interpreted differently by clinicians, potentially influencing patient management. This study evaluated how clinicians and pathologists interpret commonly used uncertain phrases in pathology reports and explored factors that influence the degree of certainty conveyed. A two-phase cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jordan. In the first phase, pathologists assessed the level of certainty associated with diagnostic phrases and identified key factors guiding their wording choices. In the second phase, clinicians evaluated the same phrases and reported on the usefulness of different communication methods and comment sections in reports. The results revealed significant variability in interpretation between and within both professional groups. Pathologists’ use of uncertain language was primarily influenced by sample cellularity and diagnostic implications. These findings highlight the importance of improving clarity in pathology reporting and fostering direct communication between clinicians and pathologists to enhance shared understanding and ensure appropriate clinical decision-making.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11032-8PathologistClinicianCommunicationDiagnostic uncertainty |
| spellingShingle | Khairat Battah Arwa Battah Iyad Farouji Shifaa’ Al Qa’qa’ Ruba Malkawi Maram Abdeljalel Omar Alzu’bi Abdelrahman Al-ammori Ayyub Masuod Mohammad AlKhreisat Discrepancies between pathologists and clinicians in interpretation of diagnostic uncertainty in surgical pathology reports Scientific Reports Pathologist Clinician Communication Diagnostic uncertainty |
| title | Discrepancies between pathologists and clinicians in interpretation of diagnostic uncertainty in surgical pathology reports |
| title_full | Discrepancies between pathologists and clinicians in interpretation of diagnostic uncertainty in surgical pathology reports |
| title_fullStr | Discrepancies between pathologists and clinicians in interpretation of diagnostic uncertainty in surgical pathology reports |
| title_full_unstemmed | Discrepancies between pathologists and clinicians in interpretation of diagnostic uncertainty in surgical pathology reports |
| title_short | Discrepancies between pathologists and clinicians in interpretation of diagnostic uncertainty in surgical pathology reports |
| title_sort | discrepancies between pathologists and clinicians in interpretation of diagnostic uncertainty in surgical pathology reports |
| topic | Pathologist Clinician Communication Diagnostic uncertainty |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11032-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT khairatbattah discrepanciesbetweenpathologistsandcliniciansininterpretationofdiagnosticuncertaintyinsurgicalpathologyreports AT arwabattah discrepanciesbetweenpathologistsandcliniciansininterpretationofdiagnosticuncertaintyinsurgicalpathologyreports AT iyadfarouji discrepanciesbetweenpathologistsandcliniciansininterpretationofdiagnosticuncertaintyinsurgicalpathologyreports AT shifaaalqaqa discrepanciesbetweenpathologistsandcliniciansininterpretationofdiagnosticuncertaintyinsurgicalpathologyreports AT rubamalkawi discrepanciesbetweenpathologistsandcliniciansininterpretationofdiagnosticuncertaintyinsurgicalpathologyreports AT maramabdeljalel discrepanciesbetweenpathologistsandcliniciansininterpretationofdiagnosticuncertaintyinsurgicalpathologyreports AT omaralzubi discrepanciesbetweenpathologistsandcliniciansininterpretationofdiagnosticuncertaintyinsurgicalpathologyreports AT abdelrahmanalammori discrepanciesbetweenpathologistsandcliniciansininterpretationofdiagnosticuncertaintyinsurgicalpathologyreports AT ayyubmasuod discrepanciesbetweenpathologistsandcliniciansininterpretationofdiagnosticuncertaintyinsurgicalpathologyreports AT mohammadalkhreisat discrepanciesbetweenpathologistsandcliniciansininterpretationofdiagnosticuncertaintyinsurgicalpathologyreports |