A concerning number of medical malpractice cases stem from a doctor dismissing/ignoring a patient. A patient may inform a doctor of a symptom or concern, but the doctor makes it seem like it’s all in the patient’s head or not as bad as they are claiming. This is called medical gaslighting.
So, why do some doctors ignore patients?
Unconcious biases
Medical gaslighting is not always intentional. In some cases, it’s caused by unconscious biases. Physicians often have biases brought about by cultural stereotypes, personal experiences and societal conditioning.
A doctor may have a racial/ethnic bias. For example, when it comes to pain management, African American and Hispanic patients are less likely to receive pain medication for injuries or even serious conditions like cancer. When such a patient says they are in pain, a doctor may underestimate it.
Additionally, a physician may have a gender bias. This has been a major factor for many women being less likely to be diagnosed with or treated for cardiovascular disease, which historically been viewed as a male-dominated issue. A woman’s symptoms are often linked to anxiety.
Moreover, a doctor may attribute the symptoms of an overweight patient to weight. This can lead to shorter consultations and less diagnostic testing, resulting in missed diagnosis of serious conditions.
A physician should take proactive measures to address potential biases, including training, self-reflection and using standardized protocols.
Intentional causes
Medical gaslighting can also be intentional. For example, when a doctor rushes a patient’s appointment because of time/financial pressure.
Whether medical gaslighting is unintentional or intentional, it can lead to serious consequences. If you have suffered harm because a doctor ignored you, it’s important to learn more about your case to determine what to do next.
