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.