One or many labels? a longitudinal qualitative study of patients' journey to diagnosis at a specialist NHS Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) clinic.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) is a poorly understood syndrome of multiple disabling symptoms. This study explored the process of seeking a diagnosis of PoTS. Analysis focused on changes before and after participants' first appointment with a national PoTS clinic, and explored whether a diagnosis is beneficial in the context of multiple co-occurring conditions and an absence of licenced treatments.

Design

A longitudinal, qualitative study.

Methods

Participants (n = 15) in this nested qualitative study were recruited from a larger study of people who had been newly referred to a National specialist NHS Cardiology PoTS service. Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely before, and 6 months after their first appointment with the clinic. Data was

SUBMITTER: Knoop I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11236186 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature