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reduction in time between onset of symptoms and seeking medical help.37 These are important steps in reducing diagnostic delay in endometriosis.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the present study has shown that the diagnostic process in endometriosis is hampered by late presentation of symptoms to a medical professional, inadequate appraisal of symptoms and the interaction between patients and medical professionals. Women with endometriosis prompt their physicians to take them seriously. Efforts should be made to increase awareness in the general population, and to provide medical staff with sufficient knowledge and skills to adequately acknowledge presented symptoms or clinical findings and initiate appropriate actions.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the women who participated in this study for sharing their experiences.
Disclosure of interests
The authors have no conflicts of interest. Funding: none
Contribution to authorship
MZ, DB, AN and WN contributed to the design of this study. AN and MZ hosted the focus group sessions. LK, MZ and WN analyzed the data, and all the other authors contributed to the interpretation of the data. MZ drafted the manuscript and AN, DB and WN made substantial contributions to it. All the authors critically revised the manuscript and approved the version to be published.
Details of ethical approval
The study protocol was evaluated by the Radboud University Medical Centre research ethics committee and did not require full institutional review board approval (Reference number 2016-2629)
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