Normal or diseased? Navigating indeterminate gut behaviour
Christina McKerchar1, Lee Thompson1, Susan Bidwell1
1<institution content-type="university">Department of Population Health</institution>, <institution content-type="university">University of Otago</institution>, <institution content-type="university">Christchurch</institution>, <addr-line>34 Gloucester Street</addr-line>, <city>Christchurch</city>, <country>New Zealand</country>.
Journal of Primary Health Care
|December 19, 2023
Summary
Delayed diagnosis of gut disease is common, with patients often struggling to interpret indeterminate gut behaviors. Navigating healthcare can be frustrating, leading to prolonged diagnostic journeys and feelings of abandonment.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Qualitative Health Research
Background:
- Delayed diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases presents a persistent challenge.
- Indeterminate gut behaviors are often early, difficult-to-classify symptoms of GI conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore patient perspectives on the delayed diagnosis of gut diseases.
- Investigate patient understanding of gut symptoms and their healthcare-seeking experiences.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving 44 interviews with individuals in New Zealand.
- Participants included those with diagnosed gut disease and others with symptoms but no diagnosis.
Main Results:
- A significant subgroup (22 participants) experienced prolonged periods with troublesome gut behaviors before diagnosis.
- Patients struggled to define 'normal' gut function, impacting healthcare-seeking timing.
- Experiences with healthcare were often frustrating, delaying diagnosis and sometimes leading to feelings of abandonment.
Conclusions:
- Indeterminate gut behaviors pose challenges for both patients and clinicians in determining the need for investigation.
- Effective communication and patient support are crucial gaps in managing delayed gut disease diagnosis.
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