Ronja Pöyhönen misdiagnosed with psychosis due to brain tumor

A 24-year-old Finnish woman, Ronja Pöyhönen, was initially misdiagnosed with reactive psychosis after seeking medical help for fatigue and depression, Yle reports. The error delayed proper treatment for months.

In early 2024, Pöyhönen, then studying medicine in Riga, returned to Finland at her parents’ urging. A doctor diagnosed her with reactive psychosis, attributing her symptoms—lethargy, low mood, and difficulty functioning—to mental health issues. She was prescribed antipsychotics and sedatives, which proved ineffective and caused side effects.

Three months later, an MRI revealed a brain tumor the size of a lemon, which had been affecting her behavior, cognition, and well-being. The incorrect medication was discontinued, and surgeons removed the tumor in July 2024.

After surgery, Pöyhönen discovered inaccuracies in her Omakanta patient records, Finland’s national electronic health portal. Entries included imprecise details, irrelevant information, and problematic phrasing. One note described her as “too familiar” while recovering; another incorrectly quoted a song lyric she had referenced. She also found offensive labels, such as “drug addict” and “delusional,” in records unrelated to her case.

A recent Aalto University survey of nearly 4,700 patients found that 13% felt offended by their Omakanta entries, with the figure rising to 25% among mental health patients. Researchers noted instances of dismissive or accusatory language, as well as medically irrelevant details like weight mentions.

Saija Simola, a doctoral researcher at Aalto University, emphasized that flawed records can undermine trust and influence treatment decisions, especially if errors are copied into future entries. The study has led to recommendations for healthcare professionals on improving documentation practices.

Omakanta, part of Finland’s Kanta services managed by Kela, is used by over three million people annually. Mari Holmroos, a Kanta services expert at Kela, acknowledged the value of patient access to records but urged professionals to consider the patient’s perspective when making entries. Corrections to inaccurate records must be requested directly from the healthcare provider responsible.