Women not being taken seriously by medical practitioners

[Sameeha Ismail]

I have never heard mothers being ignored in hospitals. Mostly if I have to go to the doctors, I will call my mother to come with me because the doctors think mothers know more about their children even if they are grown up.

[Jenipher Owino]

I think women should be taken more serious because they are always close to Childrens

[Eva Nyaburi]

I think practitioners do this because they believe mothers worry too much about small things, but I believe mothers know best and would be the first to notice if something is wrong with their children.

[Nqobile Mashinini Tshabalala]

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

Truly sad but I'm hopeful the tide will turn with more women actively involved and contributing to the medical space.

[Nqobile Mashinini Tshabalala]

I have never heard mothers being ignored in hospitals. Mostly if I have to go to the doctors, I will call my mother to come with me because the doctors think mothers know more about their children even if they are grown up.

I'm glad you've only had positive experiences in this regard. And the truth is that it's not all, not even most doctors/healthcare practitioners who disregard mothers but in this book, this is what we see. Thanks for sharing your experience

[Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis]

Yes, I agree that women are not taken seriously by the medical profession. It is ironic because it is the mothers who take care of the children and have a better rapport with them, as fathers tend to not be home as much. Also, fathers tend not to get involved with the children's lives as far as school goes and taking them to the doctor. When I was a single mother, almost everyone in the medical profession would ask if the father was available. Now in today's society, we often find that the fathers are the main caregiver, so I am sure they are feeling the reverse, medical professionals are asking if the mother is available.

[Gee-Q Mdluli]

I've experienced this a few times, and it always surprises me. We're living in 2023, where feminism and open discussions about these issues are the norm. People should know better, but it's disheartening that some still don't. I've encountered doctors who didn't take my health concerns seriously and instead insisted I must be pregnant, even when I explained it was impossible. I've had a doctor lecture me about being modest and covering my skin, which left me puzzled as to how we veered into a discussion about my attire. Some doctors even turned consultations into uncomfortable, flirtatious encounters. The power dynamic is askew - they're the professionals, and we're the ones seeking help and guidance. I cannot imagine how disheartening (and infuriating) it must be to have go through this as the mother of a child with what could have been a terminal illness.

[MehulPan]

Well, I'm sure there are multiple aspects to this issue. I won't completely agree neither disagree with the issue of women being sidelined by medical practitioners. A rough reason I can think of why medical practitioners don't take women seriously, might be because sometimes women tend to be emotional and being emotional somewhere clouds our decision-making skills. Although, there are some arguments which prove my theory wrong but it's kind of a rough reason i could think of.
No offense to anyone.

[Lisa P Cowling]

I do not think I have experienced this before and my doctors always took me very seriously even when it had to do with my child. I have never been in a position to feel like I wasn't being taken seriously because I am a woman. Still an interesting discovery that this happens.

[Osakwe Favour]

Personally, I feel like gender stereotypes and biases in the healthcare system can lead practitioners to attribute women's symptoms to psychological factors rather than acknowledging potential underlying medical conditions. This can result in women feeling unheard, leading to frustration and a lack of trust in the medical system.

[Radiant3]

"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?

I think this has been the case for many years in the past, where men were naturally deferred to and women were ignored or were not considered the decision-makers. However, with the increasing number of female doctors, and younger doctors, plus the improvement of women's roles in society, this practice has been decreasing.

[Mara Valentina]

The author's experiences highlight the pervasive issue of gender bias in healthcare, where women's concerns and observations are often disregarded or undervalued. This bias can have serious consequences, leading to delayed diagnoses, misdiagnoses, and even inadequate treatment. So, the book serves as a stark reminder of the importance of patient advocacy and the need for healthcare providers to listen attentively to all patients, regardless of gender. It also underscores the significance of raising awareness about gender bias in healthcare and promoting a more equitable healthcare system.

[Okoth Omondi]

"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?

It's concerning that some women may not feel taken seriously by medical practitioners. Effective communication with healthcare professionals is crucial. If you or someone you know is facing this issue, consider seeking a second opinion or discussing concerns with the healthcare provider. Advocacy for women's health is important for fostering understanding and better care.

[Ophiohonren Hiram]

Truth be told, this bias is a new discovery because I am quite young and greatly unexposed concerning these matters. However, I find it surprising that despite the fact that women are the main caretakers of kids, their contributions are not taken seriously. The health care sector can do better and I believe that they, just like any other sector will slowly but surely rid themselves of such meaningless discriminatory practices.

[Seetha E]

Yes, this is another important aspect. But when the attending individual shows the understanding and commitment, with some doctors and even attending staff needing some toughness, they are more than willing to share information.