whofan26:

smallest-feeblest-boggart:

katekyo-bitch-reborn:

biggest-gaudiest-patronuses:

biggest-gaudiest-patronuses:

biggest-gaudiest-patronuses:

biggest-gaudiest-patronuses:

honestly i have saved a lot of hassle by specifically requesting to be treated by female medical professionals whenever possible

to clarify

• there are plenty of good (and mediocre, and lousy) medical professionals of any gender. 
• institutional sexism is a big problem in healthcare. big problem. huge. also racism & other types of discrimination. women and minorities are statistically likely to receive worse care.
• yes, female health professionals (like all women) are also capable of perpetuating sexism.
• if you are perceived female, requesting that female professionals handle your care is a useful way to lower the odds that medical gender bias will get in the way of your treatment. 

and here’s an article on how statistically female doctors have better patient outcomes & lower mortality rates (no matter the gender of the patient). the patients with the highest mortality rates? women treated by male doctors. one reason for this: female practitioners tend to spend more time listening to their patients, and are less likely to dismiss patient concerns. 

the final takeaway: whatever the gender, find a doctor who listens.

please reblog this version so people don’t get defensive. i’m not bashing on men, this is based on personal experience, research, and genuine concern. 

^^^Good advice. Also, if they refuse to prescribe something/run tests you’ve requested, tell them to specifically write on your chart that you requested it and they said no. they will often reconsider.

Note, my dad manages doctors.  He said this is part of why female doctors tend to get paid less.

They tend to spend more time with their patients (hence why he told me to always request a female doctor) and most of the time doctors are paid by how many patients they see.  

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THAT LAST COMMENT

I think its also important to take away from this how much you need to say when seeking medical care, including switching doctors when you’re uncomfortable with your current one. I know a lot of people who just accept or assume their doctor won’t listen to them and they put up with their problems (or taking too many medications with serious side effects) without you know TALKING to someone who will LISTEN. While you have a good chance in finding a good female doctor or one the same gender as you, but don’t ever settle for someone who makes you uncomfortable. I’ve heard sometimes females ob/gyn’s can be much rougher cause they assume you have as much a pain tolerance as they do while males who have no clue tend to be more careful. I hate reading stories of doctors betraying patients’ trust, the few who do that ruin the entire experience of getting care for people who really need it. Your doctor doesn’t have control over your life when they don’t listen to your concerns, always try to get a second opinion especially on very serious things.