Among women who have visited a healthcare provider in the past two years, 27 percent of women reported that their doctor had done at least one of the following:
- Assumed something about them without asking.
- Didn’t believe they were telling the truth.
- Dismissed their concerns.
- Suggested they were personally to blame for a health problem.
Twenty-seven percent. More than one quarter of women who visited a healthcare provider had a negative experience. And the numbers only get worse for women of color.
Gender bias in medicine is a long-documented situation. While we are making progress, sometimes it’s not enough. When it comes to health — as in many other things — women still have to work hard to be heard and taken seriously. Mamas, you need to advocate for your health.
We do our best to enact change in broad ways. We call for more research on treatments for women, work toward equal representation in the medical community, and draw attention to concerning statistics, such as maternal mortality rates. This is all so can get the medical care we need. But we must also be prepared to advocate for ourselves in every clinical encounter.
Know Your Concerns
When you go to the doctor, it’s best to be ready to discuss your symptoms and concerns at length and in detail. We all forget things, so I recommend writing your concerns down and bringing any relevant tracking information with you.
If possible, provide details about your symptoms, such as when they began, how often they occur, and what — if anything — makes them worse or better. Write down any questions you may have in advance.
Detailed information allows doctors to have a better understanding of the issue and presents a picture of someone serious about her health and aware of her body, making it harder to dismiss you.
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Do Your Research
All snarky comments about “Dr. Google” aside, researching before going to the doctor is a smart tactic. Knowledge is power, and some background information can help you ask better questions, request specific tests to rule out possibilities, and/or offer insight into alternative treatment options.
Without question, doctors go to school for a lot longer than it takes you to do an Internet search. But there is nothing wrong with being an informed patient and using resources to work with your doctor on your health.
Take Notes
Be an active participant in your appointment. Ask questions, listen to answers, and ask follow-ups. Being a patient can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming, so it may be hard to remember everything that was said. Try to take notes on your phone or ask if you can record what the doctor says to help you remember when you get home.
Trust Yourself
It’s easy to let self-doubt creep in when your concerns are dismissed or there turns out to be a plausible explanation for an issue. But if it doesn’t feel right to you, listen to your body because you know it best.
If a treatment isn’t working, ask for something different. If you feel the diagnosis doesn’t fit, get a second opinion. When your health is at stake, don’t worry if you are being difficult. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, so squeak as much as needed to be heard.
Bring Support
Even the most fiercely independent of us need a little backup. Anytime you are dealing with medical issues, there is a lot of value to having someone else in the room with you. If at all possible, ask a friend or family member to accompany you. An extra person to listen, ask questions, and just be there for support makes a huge difference. Don’t be afraid to ask someone you trust to come along. Chances are, he or she will be more than happy to help.
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The Truth
While I am an excellent advocate when it comes to my children’s health by asking lots of questions, pushing for referrals, and generally being a stubborn mother, I do not do near as well when it comes to myself. Let’s face it it takes a lot of energy to speak up and push back, especially when it’s for us and not our kids. We’re all a little too tired.
But that needs to change. To ensure the best possible care, we must advocate for your health as fiercely as we do for others.
Because we are worth it.
