Do Physicians judge patients based on what they wear? Designer Bags? Casual Clothing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a close family member who is a doctor and the only people he judges are the ones who are clearly tryign to scam him into giving them certain medications or scam him into filling out bogus workers' comp claims.

In my experience, doctors (who don't know you) peg you as a drug seeker anyway. Being white, female, 40-50s confirms that you're lying and only want drugs. Doctors assume that you are not in pain or ill, you want drugs. I have never abused drugs, never smoked, and don't drink alcohol, but still got treated like that anyway and was not diagnosed properly. I have always had very good insurance BTW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a close family member who is a doctor and the only people he judges are the ones who are clearly tryign to scam him into giving them certain medications or scam him into filling out bogus workers' comp claims.

In my experience, doctors (who don't know you) peg you as a drug seeker anyway. Being white, female, 40-50s confirms that you're lying and only want drugs. Doctors assume that you are not in pain or ill, you want drugs. I have never abused drugs, never smoked, and don't drink alcohol, but still got treated like that anyway and was not diagnosed properly. I have always had very good insurance BTW.

Mt experience too and despite pain, I’ve always refused most medications because of this. I did my kidneys and liver in with too much ibuprofen. It’s even in my records I’m making it up. Finally one doctor took the time to get me the right diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not necessarily, but I am an older woman and we are often dismissed in many ways. I make an effort to look professional, for the most part.

Or- sporty. You know- leggings and sneakers. Then they can't assume I'm sedentary.

My mom, a woman of a certain age, was dismissed for years by the medical community as a hypochondriac. Was told all her pain was arthritis or just old age. She died from pancreatic cancer that could have been operable if caught earlier but nobody cared enough to connect the dots. She was well dressed and had insurance.

[Anonymous]

My Dad's a pediatrician and he really only got mad about the abusive parents or the ones who'd use their kids for drug seeking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not necessarily, but I am an older woman and we are often dismissed in many ways. I make an effort to look professional, for the most part.

Or- sporty. You know- leggings and sneakers. Then they can't assume I'm sedentary.

My mom, a woman of a certain age, was dismissed for years by the medical community as a hypochondriac. Was told all her pain was arthritis or just old age. She died from pancreatic cancer that could have been operable if caught earlier but nobody cared enough to connect the dots. She was well dressed and had insurance.

This is my normal and it worries me I have something more serious. I think if they cannot see it they don’t care and they are discouraged from doing basic testing. My doctor throws vitamins, cholesterol meds and other stuff at me from past issues and refuses to recheck. I keep switching doctors and get put back with her.

[Anonymous]

Of course they do! They are human. I always dress professionally - dress, heels, minimal jewelry. Even when I take my elderly parent to appts.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone remember that ted talk or discussion with the female doctor and the female leading figure where they revealed the acronym they use for women with vague symptoms who complain to much (and are dismissed?)

I'm sure I learned about it here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think you receive different medical care based on what you are wearing?

Do you always dress a certain way for medical appointments?

When my father had cancer, he was definitely judged by the hospital. He was older (93) and black. They assumed he didn't have medical insurance so they were really horrible. I had to really show out! He had very good health insurance and I am a lawyer.

Having or not having medical insurance is the key issue. If you were a poor white person without insurance, you would know this. I’ve encountered incredibly hostile physicians who clearly resented me, and flat out told me I’d be forced to pay up out of pocket.

I absolutely encourage everyone to have a support person with them at all times when seeing a doctor, or especially when hospitalized. This goes for rich and poor, black and white. This is 1000x more critical for women having a hospitalized childbirth, again black or white, rich or poor. I hope you agree.

Physicians and hospitals often get paid more for services for the uninsured-so this wasnt it.

Not using insurance: Things that are classy when you're rich and trashy when you're poor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course they do! They are human. I always dress professionally - dress, heels, minimal jewelry. Even when I take my elderly parent to appts.

There is unfortunately a number of doctor replies that say if you’re really sick you wouldn’t have the energy to put on nice clothes. So you can’t win. Dressed too nice = not sick. Dressed poorly = not worthy of proper treatment.

[Anonymous]

Physicians do, nurses do, office staff does.

After that viral video from the Californian GYN office mocking women’s “gifts” came out, so many people in healthcare said yeah that’s what we do with dark humor, not a big deal, etc. It’s clear to me that patients are mocked, judged and laughed at. Anything from the clothing you wear, your physical appearance, and apparently anything post exam.