Symptoms, healthcare-seeking and diagnosis

We all experience symptoms from our bodies, but interpret these in widely different ways, and far from all symptoms result in a consultation with a doctor. Within the research field, we explore symptoms in the general population and elucidate factors important for consulting a doctor. We focus on alarm symptoms of cancer, general serious symptoms and non-specific symptoms. We examine different elements of the symptom experience and explore the process of healthcare-seeking. Which personal, structural or organizational circumstances are important to whether the individual consults a doctor with symptom experiences?

Another area of focus is the persons having moved into the system through general practice due to their symptoms, but whose symptoms do not fit into traditional diagnoses. We focus on the prevention of development of persisting symptoms as seen e.g. in case of functional disorders and pain syndromes. Furthermore, we focus on baby colic and the importance of chiropractic treatment.

The research field also elucidates the general practitioner’s handling of the diagnostic process within selected areas with special focus on diagnosing and treatment of gastroenterological issues, gynaecological diseases, symptoms from the respiratory passages and infections in general.

Symptoms, healthcare-seeking and diagnosis
Contact person: Dorte Ejg Jarbøl