Towards reducing diagnostic delay in endometriosis in primary care: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Primary care
• Women's health

Background:

• Diagnostic delay for endometriosis in primary care averages 35 months.
• This delay stems from symptom heterogeneity, lack of diagnostic tests, and low awareness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify feasible interventions for reducing endometriosis diagnosis time in primary care.
• Focus on General Practitioners' (GPs) preferences regarding intervention content, design, and implementation.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study using focus groups with 22 GPs and 13 GP trainees.
• Data collection until saturation, followed by transcription, open encoding, and theme formulation by three independent researchers.

Main Results:

• Three key themes emerged: increasing awareness, combined interventions, and reaching unaware GPs.
• Suggested combined interventions include guideline adaptation, a diagnostic support tool, and compulsory education.
• Education should be regional, with mandatory training for GP trainees.

Conclusions:

• GPs believe a combined strategy of adapted guidelines, a diagnostic support tool, and education can reduce endometriosis diagnostic delay.
• Integrating 'endometriosis' into differential diagnosis lists and creating flowchart-based diagnostic tools are recommended.