Endometriosis and Diagnostic Delay: The Patient’s Perspective

In: Biomarkers for Endometriosis · 2017 · pp. 77–82 · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-59856-7_4 · W2617041362
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This paper discusses the patient's perspective on endometriosis diagnostic delay, its negative health impacts, and the need for research and public education to prevent delays.

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This chapter examines the significant diagnostic delays experienced by women with endometriosis, highlighting the adverse physical and psychosocial consequences of prolonged undiagnosed symptoms. It identifies key contributing factors, including the normalization of pain by both patients and healthcare providers, which impedes timely clinical intervention. The authors emphasize that a confirmed diagnosis often brings substantial relief to affected individuals and advocate for strategies to mitigate these delays through public education, quality monitoring, and biomarker research. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically focusing on patient experiences regarding the challenges and consequences of delayed diagnosis.

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Abstract

Early diagnosis is a top priority for women with endometriosis. However, diagnostic delays are still common. It is of utmost importance to prevent diagnostic delay as this can have an adverse impact on women’s physical and psychosocial health, including undergoing unnecessary treatments and a worsening of symptoms over time. Furthermore, women with endometriosis experience a sense of relief at diagnosis. The factors contributing to diagnostic delay are well documented and are differentiated into patient and medical factors, such as normalization of symptoms form both sides. The next step is to conduct more research into preventing diagnostic delay and translating evidence into clinical practice by educating the general public on the topic of endometriosis, by monitoring healthcare quality and by conducting research into biomarkers. Access this chapter Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout Purchases are for personal use only Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59856-7_4 Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59856-7_4 Published: Publisher Name: Springer, Cham Print ISBN: 978-3-319-59854-3 Online ISBN: 978-3-319-59856-7 eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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