Overlooked: Why Diagnostic Overshadowing Matters for Specialist GPs

In Horizon magazine, Dr Cheryl Buhay and I explored an issue many of us recognise in practice — diagnostic overshadowing. This happens when new physical symptoms are written off as part of a patient’s mental health or substance use history, leading to missed or delayed diagnoses.

It can affect anyone, but we see it most in those already carrying a mental health label, in Māori communities, and in women whose perimenopausal symptoms are often mistaken for anxiety. The consequences can be serious, but the solutions start with us.

As Specialist GPs, we’re well placed to ask: could this be something else? By taking a fresh history, examining thoroughly, and checking our assumptions, we can reduce harm and build trust.

👉 Read the full article here: Overlooked – Horizon