Page 79 - Diagnostic delay of endometriosis

Table 2. Barriers and facilitators in the diagnostic process of endometriosis according to the GPs participating in the focus groups between January 2016 and March 2017
Barriers
Low sense of urgency for timely diagnosis
Limited experience with endometriosis
Limited knowledge and skills related to endometriosis
Insufficient training and literature
Facilitators
Reluctance for referral because lack of gain perceived
Recent case or training enhances awareness
Not returning
to the GP when initiated treatment fails
Young women less likely considered for pathologic condition
Lack of GP guideline
Lack of understanding gynaecologists’ diagnostic/ treatment options
Low frequency of reporting on endometriosis in correspondence letters
Lack of knowledge in other medical specialists
Reporting of endometriosis as incidental finding may increase awareness
Faster referral in case of infertility
Patient engagement promotes referral
Non-Western European background more easily referred
A few GPs stated that women with a different ethnic background were more likely to get a fast referral, because of communication difficulties, different presentation of pain and the assumption that these women more frequently expect or demand a referral.
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