Women not being taken seriously by medical practitioners

[Nqobile Mashinini Tshabalala]

"Many doctors, she found, did not speak to mothers.  The secretaries and assistants to doctors, she observed, “didn’t take mothers seriously, didn’t give as much weight to the mother’s concerns.” She would make a call, be put on hold for twenty minutes and then sometimes be transferred to an intern or some medical student. The fact that mothers are most often the primary care-givers didn’t resonate with doctors. Mary Ellen discovered early that if she needed information her best chance of acquiring it quickly was through me. " (Location 866)

I have sadly heard of women who were sidelined or flat-out ignored by medical practitioners simply because they were women. What is your take on this practice? What is the reason/cause for this behavior from medical practitioners? How then can single mothers get the best possible treatment for their children? Have you had a similar experience of not being taken seriously because you are a woman?

[Emma Jane Grey]

I thought this was a very interesting point as well, and it definitely still happens. It’s very clear in the chronic illness space that illnesses which are more likely to affect all genders and especially to affect men primarily (heart disease, diabetes, etc.) have had far more consistent research done into them than those which don’t (endometriosis, period pain issues in general, ME/CFS, EDS, and many other things), and that’s just one symptom of the ongoing problems in which women’s medical problems and opinions are taken less seriously. We see it all the time in the chronic illness space, unfortunately

[Soma Ezenwanne]

In as much as I have not witnessed any of this. I believe that health is wealth and medical practitioners should prioritize every single individual. Mothers and mothers with children should also be a primary concern.

[Christopher Sublett]

The healthcare system is flawed due to societal bias of women being valued less than men on decisions and many other aspects as well. Mothers are the most caring and nurturing compared to their counterparts. Medical professionals should take this into consideration when discussing a child's diagnosis and treatment, simply because a mother is the soul voice advocating for the best care of her child unconditionally out of love.

[Christine Palmer]

It must be so tough for single mothers. When I want concerns about my daughter to be taken seriously, I send her with Dad. Dad can explain more calmly than me, and gets a more thorough response every time.

[Abiodunakinola]

A woman being ignored by medical practitioners is wrong and it's something that should not be taken lightly. Generally, a mother is mostly the one that stays with children in the hospital, so they should be given proper attention by the medical practitioners and all their questions should be answered.

[Aditii Mehta]

Being a medical student, I've personally witnessed that mothers are being ignored and are often taken lightly. It's very sad that our system is so flawed. They should listen to everyone with special attention.

[Shanesha Sammerson]

Discrimination or bias against women in healthcare is a serious issue and is not justified. Such behavior can be rooted in various factors, including historical biases, stereotypes, or cultural norms. It can lead to suboptimal care for women and must be addressed.

To ensure single mothers get the best possible treatment for their children:

1. Advocate for Yourself: Be assertive about your concerns and questions when dealing with healthcare professionals. Don't hesitate to seek a second opinion if needed.

2. Build a Support System: Reach out to family, friends, or support groups who can provide emotional and practical support.

3. Research and Educate: Empower yourself with knowledge about your child's condition and treatment options. This can help you make informed decisions.

4. Seek Out Women-Friendly Healthcare Providers: Look for healthcare providers who are known for their respectful and unbiased treatment of women.

5. Document Your Concerns: Keep records of your child's medical history, treatments, and interactions with healthcare providers. This can be valuable if you encounter any issues.

[Julie Basil]

I think that this can be especially prevalent in situations that are specific to women's health issues. I chart my cycle on a regular basis to keep track of what is happening with my body throughout my cycle, including menstruation and ovulation and saw my doctor shortly after having a cycle that was much longer than usual, without any discernible reasons. When I showed and explained my chart to my doctor, who is a woman, she was unfamiliar with the method of charting and said she had no idea why my cycle had been so long. She was unwilling to schedule bloodwork to assess my hormone levels, despite my concerns and my documentation of my cycles. I ended up scheduling an appointment with another doctor who was familiar with the fertility awareness method of charting that I use and found out that I did have a hormonal issue, but could have found out months sooner if the first doctor had taken me seriously and been willing to do the bloodwork I requested.

[Anthony Ekemezie]

This is a very sad truth. Most times women, especially
mothers tend to be sidelined by medical practitioners even in this modern day. Personally, I have witnessed a few of this nonchalant act which ended badly sometimes. I believe this should be considered a crime, and there should be a penalty for such.

[RJ Reviews]

Discrimination against women is everywhere and medical field is no exception. Though I personally never witnessed it, I can't deny its existence. This is sad because mothers are the primary caregivers and are more attuned to their children's needs. Modern mothers are well educated and well informed. Ignoring their opinions or concerns is absolutely stupid.

[Paula Rocha]

Unfortunately, we live in society that does not take women seriously in most contexts. When it comes to health concerns, the consequences can be devastating. To be honest, most of the cases of medical error I've read about could be avoided if doctors took us seriously.

As a newborn, I experienced consistent pain, frequent illnesses, and a failure to gain weight, despite being breastfed and my mother having an abundant milk supply that could have nourished me and even allowed for donation. Unfortunately, she had to see multiple doctors before finding one who would listen to her concerns and conduct the necessary tests. I had a deadly cow milk allergy, and it could have been life-threatening if my mother had continued consuming dairy before feeding me. She told me that one of the doctors who took care of me after an anaphylactic shock was so horrified that he promised to never disregard a mother's concern again.

It is sad that we are not always taken seriously, but our bodies know better than society's bias. We can't afford to let our health be damaged by negligence. When a doctor doesn't take us seriously, the best we can do is to get another. And another, and another, until we find someone who will actually listen to us.

[Omneya Shakeep]

I'm surprised by this piece of information. The health care system in my country has many flaws, but thankfully, listening to a mother's complaint or observation about her child's health isn't one of them. In fact, if both parents are present at a doctor's appointment, the questions are always addressed to the mother, even if the father is the one describing his child's complaint.

[Surabhi Rani]

I do have experience of social hierarchy playing a role while queuing up for medical checkups. Also, I have noticed the sense of ego in big medical practitioners. And our status, even gender comes in the way of receiving their services. The doctors and even their secretaries and their assistants may seem to be insensitive to the emotions of a mother or women in general while offering treatments to them.

[Cheryl Erickson]

Fortunately, my doctors have listened to me and appeared to value my opinions. I always research and speak to my mother and sister, both nurses. I go to appointments as informed as possible. I keep a notebook with questions and write down what the doctors tell me. My children's doctors were always respectful.