BACKGROUND: Although @entity378 ( @entity378 ) is relatively rare in the UK, its diagnosis is important because diagnostic delays can result in worse outcomes for @entity1 and expose others to the risk of @entity281 . Atypical presentations may be common, and @entity1 ' help-seeking behaviour may influence the diagnostic process in primary care. Little is known about the process of diagnosing @entity378 in primary care in developed countries. AIM: To understand the process of diagnosing @entity378 in UK primary care. DESIGN OF STUDY: Qualitative inductive study with paired semi-structured interviews. SETTING: Communities and general practices in south-east Wales. METHOD: Interviews were conducted with 17 @entity1 diagnosed with @entity378 in the previous 6 months and 16 GPs involved with their care. Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: In response to expected classical features, GPs generally ordered specific tests. Both GPs and @entity1 reported atypical presentations, and then the diagnostic and referral net was appropriately widened in most cases. Identified barriers to prompt diagnosis included atypical presentations and low clinical suspicion of @entity378 , lack of continuity of care, workload demands that limit time with @entity1 , and suboptimal clinician- @entity1 communication. GPs recognised the growing problem of @entity378 nationally and the need for improved education among health professionals. CONCLUSION: GPs' and @entity1 ' accounts about the process of diagnosing @entity378 suggest that delays can occur, although they are not typical. Where diagnosis is clear, GPs generally test specifically and refer appropriately; where diagnosis is less clear, the diagnostic net is cast further. It is only when certain core values of general practice are not applied (including continuity of care, considering context appropriately, and eliciting and responding appropriately to @entity1 ' explanatory models) that clinicians and @entity1 identify a suboptimal diagnostic process.

Unwrapping the diagnosis of XXXX in primary care: a qualitative study.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['infection'] @entity378 :: ('MESH:D014376', 'Disease') :: ['TB', 'tuberculosis']
@entity378 :: (MESH:D014376,Disease) :: ['tuberculosis']
