Since no one is omniscient, being well-networked makes a big difference. Dr. Lazar has always made it a point to network with as many colleagues as possible. After all, there's nothing worse than a doctor who thinks he knows everything. Therefore “better safe than sorry” is his credo.

Dr. Lazar puts great emphasis on continuously educating himself and sharing his knowledge. That's why he also contributed pro bono as an editor to DocCheck's medical encyclopedia, among other projects.

Diagnosing and treating rare diseases is more important than ever. Thousands of rare diseases exist, up to about seven thousand rare diseases have already been described scientifically, and more are being identified on an ongoing basis. Yet they remain mostly unknown in day-to-day medical practice. Medical and scientific knowledge about rare diseases is far from sufficient in the medical profession. The subject area of rare diseases has long been neglected by physicians, politicians and scientists, so that neither appropriate health policies nor scientific initiatives existed.

For most rare diseases there is no efficient therapy, nevertheless appropriate interventions can improve the quality of life and also increase life expectancy. Some impressive progress has been made in the treatment of certain diseases, which should motivate us to intensify research efforts.

Patients with rare diseases mostly face similar problems. Difficulties exist mainly in terms of diagnosis, availability of relevant information and referral to appropriate specialists. Equally important is access to qualified specialist facilities, general social and medical support, effective cooperation between hospitals and general practitioners, professional and social integration or maintaining independence.

Those affected often face psychological, social, economic or cultural problems. Many patients do not receive a diagnosis because the lack of sufficient scientific and medical knowledge means that a rare disease is often not recognized. It is precisely this group of patients that is exposed to the greatest pressure of suffering, as they are denied access to adequate support.

Orphan diseases, also known as rare diseases, are defined as conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. There are over 7,000 rare diseases affecting approximately 400 million people worldwide. Diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases face several challenges, including:

• Lack of Awareness: As the name suggests, these diseases are “rare” and as such, there is often limited awareness and understanding of these conditions among the general public and even healthcare professionals. This can lead to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.
• Limited Research and Development: Due to the small patient population and limited financial incentives, there is often limited research and development into orphan diseases. This can lead to a lack of knowledge about the underlying mechanisms and treatments for these conditions.
• Lack of Diagnostic Tools: There is often a lack of diagnostic tools and tests for rare diseases, leading to difficulties in accurately diagnosing the condition.
• Difficulty in Finding Specialists: There may be only a few healthcare professionals who specialize in a particular rare disease, making it difficult for patients to access specialized care and treatment.

In conclusion, the low prevalence of orphan diseases makes it challenging to diagnose and treat them effectively. The limited research and development, lack of diagnostic tools, and difficulty in finding specialists all contribute to the difficulties faced in diagnosing and treating these conditions.

That's the reason why we do what we do.