Challenges in the Medical Consultation: A Ground-breaking Conference on Medically Unexplained Symptoms – 26th June 2025
- stevenwalker6
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
Date: Thursday, 26th June 2025Time: 14:00–17:30 (with lunch from 13:30)Venue: The Vestry House, St Giles-in-the-Fields, London, WC2H 8LGHosted by: Forgotten Patients, Overlooked Diseases (FPOD) and the Guild of Health Writers (GHW)Tickets: £10 for members / £20 for non-members
What’s the Conference About?
Join us on 26th June 2025 for a powerful and timely event: "Challenges in the Medical Consultation", a joint meeting between the Guild of Health Writers and the charity Forgotten Patients, Overlooked Diseases.
This conference explores the often-misunderstood world of Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) — conditions where patients experience real and persistent symptoms, but without a clear diagnosis.
We’ll examine how communication breakdowns, unconscious bias, ‘persona’ and even gaslighting can affect doctor-patient relationships — and what can be done to restore trust and understanding.
Why This Matters
Every day, patients with MUS report feeling dismissed, doubted, or misunderstood. These experiences can lead to delayed diagnoses, emotional harm, and a deep mistrust in the medical system. Our aim is to bring together patients, clinicians, researchers, educators, and journalists to share perspectives and challenge assumptions.
This is a unique opportunity to hear from keynote speakers who are shaping the future of healthcare, advocacy, and medical ethics.
Programme Highlights
🥪 13:30 — Sandwich Lunch & Networking
Part 1: 14:00–15:30
Understanding Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS)
Dr Adrian Tookman – The problem of MUS
Dr Minha Rajput-Ray – A patient’s view
Prof Chris Burton – A researcher’s view
Jo Waters & Lyndon Gee – The journalist’s view
☕ 15:30–16:00 — Tea & Scones
Part 2: 16:00–17:30
Doctor-Patient Bias, Persona, Gaslighting, and Diagnostic Doubt
Dr Adrian Tookman – Why do consultations sometimes not go well?
Christianne Forrest & Katia Chrysostomou – Patient experiences
Dr Steven Walker – What does the literature say about gaslighting?
Dr Miranda Kronfli – The educationalist’s view
Chantal Patel – Ethical aspects in the consultation
Jo Waters & Lyndon Gee – The journalist’s view
Meet Our Expert Speakers
Dr Adrian Tookman – Palliative medicine consultant and FPOD Chair
Dr Minha Rajput-Ray – Physician and patient advocate, Curaidh Clinic
Prof Chris Burton – GP and Professor, University of Sheffield
Jo Waters – Freelance journalist and health writer
Lyndon Gee – Chair of the Guild of Health Writers
Christianne Forrest & Katia Chrysostomou – Patient Advocates
Dr Steven Walker – FPOD Trustee and medical communication expert
Dr Miranda Kronfli – UCL academic in medical education
Chantal Patel – Ethics expert, Swansea University
Louise Fish – Health and social care advocate and rare disease leader
Who Should Attend?
This event is for:
Healthcare professionals
Journalists and writers
Patients and advocates
Medical educators and researchers
Anyone interested in improving communication in healthcare
How to Register
🎟 Tickets:
£10 for FPOD or GHW members
£20 for non-members
📍 Location: The Vestry House, St Giles-in-the-Fields, WC2H 8LG (5 minutes from Tottenham Court Road Underground Station)
About the Organisers
Forgotten Patients, Overlooked Diseases (FPOD) is a UK-registered charity (1202442) dedicated to raising awareness, providing education, and supporting research into medically unexplained symptoms and diagnostic uncertainty.
The Guild of Health Writers is a leading UK-based organisation that supports professional health and medical journalists.
コメント