A patient's prognosis is usually optimum if a disorder is diagnosed and treated as early as possible. The process of diagnosis and treatment involves a number of steps. Each step is subject to some type of delay.
Step in the Therapeutic Process
Delay Type
time from the first symptoms to the first visit to a healthcare provider
patient
time from first presentation to the primary care provider to making a referral to a specialist
primary care
time from the making of the referral to the first visit with the specialist
referral
time from the first visit with the specialist to the time that the diagnosis made
specialist
time from the making of a diagnosis and starting of appropriate therapy
treatment
Patient delay may contribute to each step:
(1) failure to disclose symptoms to primary care provider
(2) failure to keep appointments
(3) failure to undergo tests
(4) refusal of therapy
The specialist delay may include:
(1) misdiagnosis
(2) therapy not targeting the true underlying condition
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