Feeling Unheard in Healthcare? Here's What to Do
Health Professionals Reportedly Undervaluing Concerns
Berlin (dpa/tmn) - Experiencing excruciating pain and then having your symptoms dismissed by a healthcare professional is aggravating, to say the least. Unfortunately, this isn't a rare occurrence - especially for women, as a YouGov survey revealed.
Despite progress in medical research and healthcare, gender-based negative experiences persist, with women reporting them more frequently than men. From inappropriate comments to wrong diagnosis and misattribute health problems to psychological causes, women are all-too-often ignored.
According to the survey, 31% of women have had negative experiences due to their gender, compared to a mere 10% of men. Moreover, women are more likely to be told their symptoms are psychosomatic. A staggering 44% of women have heard this once or more, while only 28% of men have faced the same.
This dismissal often results in delayed diagnosis and/or treatment. Almost 57% of women have had to see multiple doctors due to this very reason, compared to 45% of men. Moreover, the fear of not being taken seriously can prevent people from seeking immediate help, making them endure the pain for extended periods.
So, what can you do if you feel your symptoms are being disregarded at the doctor's office? Take matters into your own hands with these simple tips:
- Speak Up: Challenge the doctor's conclusions by asking for a thorough examination and explicitly stating your feelings about the perceived downplaying of your symptoms.
- Get a Second Opinion: If you're still not satisfied with the first doctor's assessment, don't hesitate to seek advice from another healthcare provider.
- Bring a Companion: Having a support person with you during consultations can provide emotional encouragement and help ensure your concerns are addressed.
The survey was conducted by YouGov between May 13 and 15, 2025, with 1,037 men and women aged 18 and over. The reality of gender-based negative experiences in healthcare remains a critical issue that warrants attention and action from healthcare professionals and policymakers.
Further Insights:
- Misdiagnosis and Gender Bias: Women are more likely to receive a medical misdiagnosis due to implicit gender bias and underrepresentation in clinical trials. This can lead to a lack of gender-specific understanding and treatment options.
- Biological Differences: Conditions such as heart disease present differently in women, making them harder to diagnose. A lack of gender-diverse medical research exacerbates these issues.
- Reporting Incidents: If inappropriate comments or dismissals occur, report them to the healthcare facility's administration or patient advocacy department to foster a safer and more inclusive healthcare environment.
- In light of persisting gender bias in healthcare, it's crucial to seek science-backed therapies and treatments for women's health issues that might otherwise be misdiagnosed or ignored.
- To address the mental health implications of such experiences, healthcare and wellness initiatives should prioritize promoting mental health awareness and resources within the health and wellness industry.
- Advocating for equal representation in health research, especially in areas like women's health and mental health, can help eliminate health disparities and ensure better health outcomes for all.
