Exploring the medicine experiences and needs of patients who are under-served

Activity: Real life stories

The following accounts are based on the lives of real people. All the individuals belong to at least one under-served community group. 

Select two or more of the following people and reflect on what their day-to-day experiences of health and medicines are like:

Name: Mohammed

Age at interview: 26

Background: Pakistani (born in Pakistan); in UK for 15 years

Occupation: Further education, charitable work

Diagnoses: Asthma, episodic depression, IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome), insomnia, retinal detachment


Name: Rhahana

Age at interview: 40

Background: Bangladeshi (born in Bangladesh); in UK for 20 years

Occupation: Housewife, married with three adult children

Diagnoses: Asthma, allergies, haematuria (presence of blood in the urine), osteoporosis, migraines, chronic pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas), vitiligo (pigmentation skin loss)


Name: Ricky

Age at interview: 45

Background: British nationality

Occupation: Previously worked as a social worker; currently unemployed and in reciept of benefits

Diagnoses: Anxiety disorder, arthritis, depression, fibromyalgia, gender dysphoria (person’s experiences discomfort due to a perceived mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity), migraines


Name: Sue

Age at interview: 25

Background: British nationality, married with two children

Occupation: Does not work due to debilitating illness

Diagnosies: ME / CFS (Myalgic Encephalopathy / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) fibromyalgia (long-term condition causing pain over the body), anxiety, under-active thyroid)

Real life stories