Patient perspectives of diagnostic delay for suspicious oral mucosal lesions.

摘要: This study aimed to investigate patient experiences regarding the discovery of and subsequent referral for suspicious oral mucosal pathology. The population under investigation were patients an medicine clinic in Australia who had been referred lesions suspected malignancy. A self-completed questionnaire gathered information beliefs leading up diagnosis at their review appointments. Fifty-four per cent participants knew about pathology before referral. highest proportion delay occurred between self-discovery a lesion seeking help. Ninety-one self-aware reason help relation three most common reasons this was desire explanation, being advised by health care provider or presence pain. Some unaware own some seek only when worried, pain following advice. Practitioners should examine mucosa detect since may not be aware its existence.