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04/01/26

Between doubt and diagnosis: patient experiences of emotional harm from diagnostic delays.

McCleskey, Sara; Hero, Joachim; Berdahl, Carl; Schiff, Gordon; Upadhyay, Divvy; Ahluwalia, Sangeeta C. Patient Educ Couns.

Collection Topics
Equity, Access, and Timeliness Patients and Families as Partners
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Summary

For patients, delayed diagnosis carries deep emotional and psychological costs, eroding trust and future care engagement. This interview study of patients who experieced a delayed diagnosis reveals three key themes: feeling dismissed, frustration and self-doubt; relief and validation upon finally receiving a diagnosis; and lasting mistrust in healthcare. These harms span ages and conditions, underscoring the need for patient-centered, validating communication and partnership to improve diagnostic safety.
Read the paper
McCleskey S, Hero J, Berdahl C, et al. Between doubt and diagnosis: patient experiences of emotional harm from diagnostic delays. Patient Educ Couns. 2026;149:109610.