On March 8, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. This is a day that celebrates women and the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements they have made. Despite the many great feats women have made, there are still many injustices to be rectified. One of these is the continued dismissal of women’s issues when dealing with medical professionals. Many women feel that when they go to the doctor, the doctor is quick to dismiss their symptoms. Their symptoms dismissed as a woman simply being dramatic. These dismissals can lead to patients not getting the care they need or in the worst cases result in life-threatening situations. When patients lose trust in their doctor, it means they are less likely to make follow up visits or to go to the doctor at all when something seems off.
For those living with diabetes, avoiding doctor’s appointments can have dire consequences as poorly managed sugars can lead to issues such as glaucoma, nerve damage, amputation etc. In an article published by The Harvard Health Publishing blog, they write that women are more likely to be prescribed sedatives rather than pain medication for their ailments. In the same article, they mention that women are seven times more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and discharged in the middle of having a heart attack. So how do we address this dismissal when visiting our own healthcare practitioners? Read on to learn ways in which you can get the level of care you deserve.
Be Assertive
In a world where women are seen as bossy for being assertive, don’t let yourself be silenced when you are expressing your concerns. Be firm and direct and avoid apologizing for taking up their time. If it helps, rehearse what you want to say ahead of time. This can ensure that you remember all the things you would like to bring up.
Don’t Settle for No
If you feel something is off, don’t allow yourself to be dismissed. Similar to the first point, be strong in your stance and if they continue to dismiss your symptoms, well then read point three.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get a Second Opinion
In the same way that not everyone gets along with their family members or colleagues, maybe you just aren’t seeing eye to eye with your doctor. If he/she refuses to acknowledge your issues, look for a second opinion. Your health is way too important to risk it.
Write Down Your Questions
Similar to rehearsing what you are going to say, write down your questions. That way if you forget something, you can easily refer back to the questions for your convenience. In addition, having questions written down can assist you if you start getting nervous. It can help you state your concerns when your words escape you.
Trust Your Instincts
The amygdala is a part of the brain that is responsible for our fight or flight response. What this means is it decides how to respond to a threat and your instincts. If your instincts are telling you something is off, then trust it. Not only will ignoring it do any good, but it can lead to your health declining and a solvable problem turning into an unsolvable one.
In short, while we now have a day dedicated to women it doesn’t mean the fight for women’s right is now over and all is good in the world. However, the great thing about today’s world is the accessibility to information. For those living with diabetes, looking for guidance and support has never been easier. Be sure to check out all our resources including other articles, livestreams, exercise videos, recipes, meal plans, and more to help you with your diabetes management. Everybody deserves quality, affordable healthcare.
Carolina Clarke
Carolina Clarke is the marketing copywriter at The Diabetes App. She is passionate about social issues, travel, and fitness. She is a diabetes supporter and is dedicated to providing those living with diabetes with resources to help manage their diabetes. A desire to help is at the forefront of everything she writes.
