So, what can we do to shorten time to diagnosis?

Timely diagnosis is one of the most serious challenges faced by people living with a rare disease.

In the case of Emma McCorkell, her search for an accurate diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) lasted 5 years with an initial misdiagnosis of a slipped disc and numerous consultations with rheumatologists and neurologists before receiving a confirmed diagnosis.?

Diagnostic delay in FND is not uncommon since the condition involves neurological symptoms that are not explained by traditional medical tests. In the absence of medical tests Neurologists employ a number of methods such as pattern recognition in order to identify that the patient’s symptoms do not?look like?another neurologic diseases or syndromes which they may have seen in the past. These heuristic methods are highly prone to confirmation bias and resultant misdiagnosis.

Emma’s diagnostic odyssey concluded by taking matters into her own hands and resorting to search online to identify an expert.

Watch the video to learn about her diagnostic odyssey and how her ability to navigate her own way through information sources and social media helped her to achieve a diagnosis.

So, what can we do to shorten time to diagnosis?

It’s important to improve physicians’ awareness of rare conditions and the potential for diagnostic bias, but we must also consider the role of the patient/carer in searching online for answers.

Through a deep understanding of the information journey and online behaviour of a patient/carer, we can optimise content to reach & engage them at the right time via whatever channel or medium they favour.

For further insights visit our posts on www.swii.ch

At swii.ch health, we specialise in omnichannel strategies tailored for rare disease engagement. Our approach is grounded in behavioural insights to ensure the right content, in the right format, at the right time for your audience.

As omnichannel natives, we adhere to the principles of relevance, connectivity, and measurability, whether executing large-scale campaigns or individual tactics. This approach not only enhances patient and family communication but also drives superior ROI and fosters improved health outcomes. Partner with us to transform your patient engagement.