MITIGATION OF DIAGNOSTIC UNCERTAINTY IN PSYCHIATRY AND MENTAL HEALTH IN PRIMARY CARE: A SCOPING REVIEW

OBJECTIVE: To map and analyze recent scientific evidence on the mitigation of diagnostic uncertainty in psychiatry as a core element of clinical decision-making in primary mental health care, identifying diagnostic strategies, care practices, and organizational approaches. METHODS: Scoping review conducted between December 2025 and January 2026, following Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations and reported according to PRISMA-ScR. The research question was structured using the PCC framework. Studies published in the last five years, in any language, addressing diagnostic uncertainty in primary mental health care were included. Searches were performed in PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library, with complementary searches in Google Scholar. Data selection and extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Twelve studies were included. Findings indicate that mitigating diagnostic uncertainty relies on integrating diagnostic tools, collaborative and measurement-based care practices, and organizational strategies. Care practices predominated, while organizational interventions were less frequently addressed, highlighting important gaps. CONCLUSION: Reducing diagnostic uncertainty in primary mental health care requires sustained, integrated strategies combining longitudinal follow-up, structured communication, standardized assessment tools, and collaborative care models to improve clinical decision-making and diagnostic safety.