Page 141 - Diagnostic delay of endometriosis

In conclusion, the present study resulted in a set of key interventions to reduce diagnostic delay in endometriosis from the domains “patient and professional awareness” and “medical/scientific”. The set is supported by a diversity of stakeholders in the field of endometriosis. Further efforts should be made to incorporate these interventions in a multifaceted strategy aimed at optimizing help seeking behaviour of women with symptoms suggestive of endometriosis, and improving knowledge and clinical strategies in medical professionals.
Contribution to authorship
MZ, WN, DB and AN contributed to the design of this study. MZ, LK, JV and AN prepared the questionnaires. MZ, AN and WN analyzed the data, and all the other authors contributed to the interpretation of the data. MZ drafted the manuscript and WN, DB and AN made substantial contributions to it. All the authors critically revised the manuscript and approved the version to be published.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to all the panel members for completing the questionnaires, and to the experts participating in the brainstorm session and interviews prior to the Delphi procedure for their input in the extraction of possible interventions: Prof WJJ Assendelft, Ms B de Bie, Prof JAM Kremer, JWM Maas and TAM Teunissen.
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