Lost in Diagnosis: Delving into the diagnostic difficulties Canberra women face
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From the linguistic to the systemic, exploring the diagnostic inequities women face at Lost in Diagnosis at The Street Theatre on Thursday 7 September.
Ever felt that your doctor wasn’t really listening to you? Ever left a healthcare consultation feeling as if your symptoms had been dismissed? Women often feel unheard and these communication breakdowns between women and their doctors can lead to missed, delayed or incorrect diagnoses.
At the heart of this issue is “a misalignment in how doctors and patients may view symptoms,” according to Dr Mary Dahm, a linguist at the ANU Institute for Communication in Health Care.
“When doctors do not attribute the same significance to symptoms, women can be left feeling frustrated and dismissed”. “What’s needed is open and patient-centered communication,” says Mary.
“Doctors who attend and acknowledge the emotions patients often attach to their symptoms and expectations for a diagnosis can improve their patient’s diagnostic experience.”
But bigger systemic issues are also at play. Patient safety advocate and researcher Jen Morris believes that gender bias is a big contributor to diagnostic inequities for women.
“Gender bias in healthcare, whether conscious or not, is rampant and insidious,” says Jen. “We need to listen to women. To believe women. To hear their stories with open minds and open hearts.”
As the federal government asks women to share their experiences of Australia’s healthcare system in its #EndGenderBias survey, Canberrans can explore some of the diagnostic difficulties women face at Lost in Diagnosis.
Facilitated by journalist turned emergency doctor Dr Amy Coopes, the panel will explore the challenges women face when seeking diagnosis and the importance of communication in the diagnostic encounter.
Joining Mary and Jen on the panel will be consumer advocate Darlene Cox, cardiologist Dr Arnagretta Hunter and local GP Dr Marisa Magiros.
Combining personal experience with medical insight and health advocacy, this diverse panel will delve into the diagnostic difficulties women face, including dismissed pelvic pain and undetected heart disease.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Lost in Diagnosis: Navigating the communication challenge of misdiagnosis in women
When: Thursday 7 Sep at 5.30 pm
Where: The Street Theatre
More information: thestreet.org.au/shows/lost-diagnosis
Feature image: Supplied
