Health Advocacy: White Coat Syndrome and Gender Bias in Healthcare
My relationship status with the medical system is best captured by “it’s complicated.” I love the fact that we have well-trained doctors, medicines available to us, vaccines, and competent surgeons. For example, I love that in cases where a woman (and potentially her baby) may have died in childbirth, we can have an emergency c-section and usually save both people. On the flip side, I often feel unseen and unheard by medical professionals, even the well-meaning ones. There are times when I leave feeling dismissed and disempowered. So, I’m writing this both as a dissatisfied consumer and as a member of the medical community who wants to make this a more satisfactory system for ALL.
I started to ask women in my life about their experience in the medical system. I am writing this particularly with women’s health in mind, as I can really only speak to being a female healthcare-consumer. My mom, who is in her early 60s now, shared feeling dismissed about “female issues”, like when she reported to her doctor that her periods are really hard or, oh hey, that time her period lasted for a year (yes, I said a year). A girlfriend of mine, who is in her mid-30s, and has severe Endometriosis shared when she reflected to her doctor that she can understand why women get hysterectomies to stop the pain (not to mention the myriad of other symptoms that come with this condition). He was dismissive of her feelings and implied that due to her being of childbearing age that should not even be considered.
Gender Bias: Women Experience the Healthcare System Differently than Men
I began to do a little research because my intuition, my own experience, and reports from other women in my life suggested that perhaps women experience the healthcare system differently than men. I suspect gender bias shows up in the medical system, just like it does in all other systems we interact with. This is very important because we also tend to utilize the healthcare system more often than men.
I came across this article from the BCC that is interested in the same issue, namely how women experience the medical system-
The health gap: How women experience the medical system
This one specifically speaks to gender bias and feeling dismissed by healthcare providers-
Recognizing, Addressing Unintended Gender Bias in Patient Care
And this one addresses how the Healthcare system falls short for women and how being a woman of color makes things even more complicated- The Coronavirus Crisis Confirms That the US Health Care System Fails Women
It’s interesting because even as I am writing this I am aware that I am feeling the need to validate my own experience- to make sure people think it’s real. I desperately want to make sure people believe my mom, to make sure people believe my girlfriend. So I’m finding research to back up my and other’s experiences. Don’t get me wrong, research is awesome and knowing the data matters. At the same time, oppressed groups often feel the need to over explain their experience because they are so often told it isn’t so or “they didn’t mean it like that” or “are you sure the doctor said it that way?”
Bottom line, our experiences are real and they matter A LOT.
Barring a massive healthcare system overhaul and the extinction of gender and racial bias, what can we do about it? Here are my tips on interacting with your healthcare provider in a way that will help you feel more empowered.
Health Advocacy and How to Calm White Coat Syndrome: 9 Tips
You are a consumer, not just a patient
They are there to try and meet your medical needs. It’s OK to speak up if that need isn’t being met.
They are a expert in a their field and you are the expert of your body and your lived experience
You live in your body day in and day out. No one knows your body better than you.
You aren’t married, you can fire your healthcare provider
Sometimes we’re not a good fit with one another and that’s OK. That doesn’t mean they are a “bad” provider or that you are a “bad” patient.
Choose your healthcare provider wisely
Figure out what you value in a doctor and look for that in the reviews. Even better, find like minded people and get word of mouth referrals.
Bring a support person with you
Let them know ahead of time how they can best support you in the moment.
Be prepared
Bring a list of questions and take notes. Seek eduction about what you are dealing with.
Ask for clarification
They went and got a fancy degree, you didn’t and that’s OK. Ask them to explain it another way. Part of their job is to explain information in a way everyone can understand.
You deserve to be treated with respect
You always deserve to be spoken to in a way that makes you feel worthy and valued as a person.
You have the right to say no and to know all your available treatment options
Try, “I’m not comfortable with that approach, what are other ways of dealing with the problem?” Or “I can see (XYZ) making that really difficult for me to actually do. Is there another way?”
What to do if your doctor dismisses you
First, remember you are the consumer. Would you leave a fast-food restaurant knowing they gave you the wrong meal?
Second, speak up using assertive communication. Check out the article below if you need more information on how to be assertive. Here are some handy phrases that can you started.
No, that’s not quite it. Let me try explaining it a different way.
Yes, that is part of my issue. However, there is more to it that I’d like to tell you about.
I understand you're busy and I’d like for you to hear me out so that we can come to a solution that will help me feel better.
Will you pause? I’d appreciate it if you could use language that I can understand.
Third, you have the right to fire your doctor and go find a new one.
Fourth, leave a review that includes assertive feedback so that others can make informed choices about their healthcare. Remember, assertive is not aggressive communication. It is honest, appropriate, respectful, and direct. If the experience was just awful, consider reporting it to a healthcare advocate.
Relationship Advice For Women
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