​​Why This Matters

Many patients:

• Have rare diseases that go unrecognised

• Have common conditions but are misdiagnosed or mislabelled

• Are left in limbo, without a clear path forward

Clinicians’ perceptions shape a patient’s journey through the system. Without a diagnosis, individuals can feel depersonalised — reduced to a “case” rather than a person. An incorrect label or no label at all can cause distress, delays, and inappropriate care.

A correct diagnosis — even when treatment options are limited — can restore dignity and clarity.

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The Reality of Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS)

• Patients with MUS often feel disbelieved, dismissed, or referred inappropriately

• Emotional wellbeing is frequently overlooked

• GPs report frustration and powerlessness in these consultations

MUS are common — up to 45% of GP consultations and around 50% of secondary care cases still lack a clear diagnosis after 3 months.

In 2008, NHS costs for MUS were estimated at £2.89 billion, with wider economic losses of £14 billion from sickness absence — not to mention the personal cost to patients.

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A New Approach is Needed

The current system often:

• Relies too heavily on tick-box processes

• Operates in clinical silos with poor cross-specialty communication

• Misses the opportunity to learn from those most affected

We believe it’s time to:

• Embrace diagnostic uncertainty as a strength, not a failure

• Empower patients with a voice

• Equip clinicians to go beyond rigid guidelines

• Facilitate exploration when standard routes fall short

• Recognise that the art of medicine matters just as much as its science

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​“The OMG Patient”

Many clinicians know the moment:

“Something isn’t adding up… What am I overlooking?”

Rather than dismiss the unknown, we want to build a culture that welcomes curiosity, encourages deeper exploration, and puts humanity back at the centre of care.