Lyme disease care gaps persist in Canada, patients call for change

Patients with Lyme disease in Canada report delays in diagnosis and ongoing symptoms after treatment; a free public panel in Gatineau on Feb. 2 will bring clinicians, researchers and patient partners together to discuss complications and care.

Many Canadians with Lyme disease say they still face gaps in care and delays in diagnosis. Several patients describe long waits and visits to multiple specialists before receiving antibiotics. Some people continue to have persistent symptoms after standard treatment, a situation where clinical guidance is limited. A free public panel on Feb. 2 in Gatineau will bring clinicians, researchers and patient partners together to discuss complications and patient experiences. Key points: - A patient described severe fatigue, pain and a delayed diagnosis she connects to a 2018 tick bite; antibiotics were prescribed in May 2021. - Patients report difficulty having symptoms believed and challenges accessing consistent care and follow-up. - Clinicians note Lyme disease can affect more than joints, including neurological and cardiac involvement, and some experts recommend simple screening like an ECG in suspected cases. - A free public panel at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau on Feb. 2 will convene clinicians, researchers and patient partners from Canada and the United States to discuss these issues. Summary: Patients and clinicians are highlighting persistent gaps in diagnosis and long-term care for Lyme disease in Canada, including reports of delayed treatment and ongoing post-treatment symptoms. The upcoming Feb. 2 panel intends to bring research, clinical practice and lived experience together to discuss complications and patient care. The longer-term outcomes of that discussion are undetermined at this time.