The pre-diagnostic trajectory

Abstract

There are many pathways and trajectories that patients take on their way to seeking medical attention and to a final diagnosis. The journeys may start with the symptoms themselves or with prompts from the environment around them. This information that motivates people to seek medical attention may come from the ubiquitous modern media, or from online information or misinformation. Prompts to seek healthcare may also come from the illness experiences of relatives, friends or colleagues.