Challenges in the Medical Consultation: A Powerful Afternoon of Listening, Learning, and Action

On Thursday 26th June, we welcomed a diverse and passionate group of attendees to our Forgotten Patients, Overlooked Diseases conference in central London. The theme, “Challenges in the Medical Consultation”, resonated deeply with patients, clinicians, researchers, medical educators, advocates, and journalists alike.

Set in the historic Vestry House, the event brought together people with a shared purpose: to explore why so many patients with complex, persistent, or medically unexplained symptoms struggle to be believed — and what can be done to change this.

Shining a Light on Overlooked Experiences

The afternoon began with a series of reflections from patients, carers and clinicians who had experienced first-hand the challenges of seeking care when symptoms don’t fit neatly into diagnostic boxes.

We heard about:

• Delayed diagnoses — sometimes taking over a decade

• Dismissive language that undermines patient credibility

• The emotional toll of being told that “nothing is wrong” when symptoms persist

• How a lack of diagnostic certainty can make clinicians uncomfortable, leading to disengagement

One key theme that emerged again and again was that diagnostic doubt is not failure — it’s a necessary and honest part of medical practice. And yet, current systems often punish uncertainty and reward confident (but sometimes incorrect) conclusions.

Medical Bias, Persona, and the Consultation Dynamic

Several speakers addressed the often-unspoken influence of 'persona' — how a patient looks, speaks, or presents themselves — on how seriously their symptoms are taken.

We discussed:

• How unconscious bias shapes diagnostic decisions

• The impact of gender, race, class, and age on how patients are treated

• The power imbalance in consultations, especially when patients are made to feel like they’re “the problem” for asking questions or pushing for further investigation

These issues aren’t just abstract — they shape clinical outcomes, delay effective treatment, and compound psychological distress.

Listening is a Clinical Skill

The event also highlighted the importance of active listening as a clinical skill. When patients are genuinely heard — even when their diagnosis is unclear — the consultation becomes a space of partnership, rather than frustration or fear.

Speakers encouraged professionals to:

• Acknowledge uncertainty instead of deflecting it

• Make space for the patient’s own knowledge of their body

• Treat the consultation as an opportunity for shared exploration, not just information delivery

  
  

Not Just a Conference — a Movement

As the afternoon progressed, it became clear that this wasn’t just a knowledge-sharing event. It was a space of recognition and resolve — where many attendees, especially patients, expressed that for the first time in a long time, they felt seen and heard.

One delegate remarked:

“It wasn’t just a conference — it was a collective shift. We didn’t just talk about problems. We shared our pain, found our people, and began imagining better ways forward.”

What’s Next?

We are so grateful to all our speakers, contributors, and attendees — both in person and online — for making this such a powerful afternoon.

A full video recording of the event and individual session summaries will be published soon.

Together, we can improve the consultation experience — not just for the forgotten patients, but for everyone.

Forgotten Patients, Overlooked Diseases is a charity dedicated to raising awareness, building understanding, and improving care for people living with complex, poorly understood medical symptoms. Learn more at www.forgottenpatients.org