People experience disparities in health care depending on their gender, race, body size, and more. This is especially troubling when we look at differences in the way clinicians respond to patients who are in pain.
Patients who have visited health care providers because they're experiencing painful periods have reported being told that they're "fine," that painful periods are "a part of being a woman," or that they are being "overdramatic." Other patients find that their identity is blamed for being the source of their symptoms. For example, trans patients report that their doctors are quick to pinpoint their trans identity or gender-affirming hormone therapy as the source of their pain — even before examining them.
Black patients' health care experiences are compounded by racism. Believe it or not, lies used to justify slavery are still present in our health care system: In a study done of White medical students, 40 percent of first and second-year students answered that they thought Black patients had thicker skin than White patients. Others believed that Black patients' nerve endings were less sensitive, none of which is true.
Every patient deserves to be listened to and taken seriously, and to have their symptoms thoroughly investigated. Anything less is dehumanizing. For medical providers (and the rest of us), self-awareness is an important first step — get educated, ask other people about their experiences receiving care, and remember that you can advocate for yourself.
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