Improving the accuracy of mental disorder diagnoses to enhance patient safety
Official title: Reducing Variance in Diagnosis of Mental Disorders to Improve Patient Safety
Funded at Rand Corporation · NIH-11016288 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how doctors and mental health providers can agree more on diagnosing mental health conditions so that patients get the right medications and better care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rand Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Monica, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $457,640 |
| NIH project number | 1R18HS030218-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11016288 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals seeking mental health evaluations or those currently diagnosed with mental disorders who may benefit from improved diagnostic accuracy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not seeking mental health services or those with well-established diagnoses that are unlikely to change may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the inconsistencies in psychiatric diagnoses that can lead to misprescribing medications and negatively impact patient safety. By evaluating how different medical providers agree on their diagnostic processes and outcomes, the project aims to identify areas of variance in diagnosis. The goal is to establish a more standardized approach to diagnosing mental disorders, which could ultimately lead to better treatment outcomes for patients. The research will involve collaboration with healthcare providers to assess and improve diagnostic practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses of mental disorders, reducing the risk of inappropriate medication prescriptions and improving overall patient safety.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been efforts to standardize psychiatric diagnoses, this research aims to build on existing knowledge and address the unique challenges of diagnostic variance, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rand Corporation
Santa Monica, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Matthews, Luke — Rand Corporation
- Study coordinator: Matthews, Luke
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.