It’s no secret that women are not always taken seriously in our society. Whether it be in the workplace, in education or in day-to-day life, women must constantly prove that they belong in important spaces. However, few people recognize the disparities women face in the healthcare industry.
Most women can recall a time when they weren’t believed, but when it occurs regarding a health situation it’s a new kind of frustration.
This past week, I fainted in one of my classes. In response, one of my peers called Campus Safety. When C-Safe arrived, they tried to convince me to take an ambulance to the ER. After I refused, they told me that I had to go to the Campus Medical Center, but I reiterated that I was refusing service. They told me that I wasn’t allowed to refuse and that I had to go to the Medical Center.
This all felt wrong to me, but I agreed to go because arguing with two large Campus Safety officers was not on my to-do list for that day. Regardless, when I arrived at the Medical Center, I asked the doctor if they were allowed to force service on me. She said she was unsure, but that they most likely did it for my safety. She continued by saying I probably wasn’t in the right head space to make the decision for myself.
This entire situation angered me, but the doctor’s response frustrated me most. I’ve had a chronic illness for a few years now, but I can’t get used to people questioning my capabilities. Just because I have an illness does not mean that I’m incapable of making decisions for myself. I know my body, and I know when I need to see a doctor. Yesterday was not one of those times.
Nonetheless, this is not an isolated incident. Prior to being diagnosed with anything, most doctors told me that all my health issues were caused by intense anxiety, and they suggested I seek psychiatric help. This is an all-too-common story for many women. Within the health care industry, female pain is often overlooked because women are still perceived as being too dramatic or emotional. I can recall being in the hospital and having to wait until my dad showed up because the doctors thought my mother and I were overreacting. The few times that I have received any treatment in the ER have been with my father, while my mother and I have often been sent home feeling dejected and irritated.
The obvious solution to these issues is to have health care professionals work towards dismantling the inequalities and biases that are still present in the industry. However, I, and many others, have no control over these professionals. Therefore, we ask ourselves, what is there left to do?
The best advice I can give is to become persistent. You are entitled to proper medical care, and if you feel that you aren’t receiving it, then say something. No one has ever gotten anywhere by sitting by when injustice is occurring. Therefore, become your own advocate. Refuse service. Ask to speak to a supervisor. Cause a scene if you must. Every woman deserves to be heard and listened to, no matter her circumstances.