Women often say that they don’t feel their medical concerns are taken seriously by clinicians. New research has found that men and women are frequently not offered the same treatment options for the same medical conditions. But it’s not just a case of discrimination.
Researchers at the Univ. of St Andrews looked at 38 studies of patient records. Of those studies, 33 had a significant disparity in treatment between the sexes. Women were less likely to get “active interventions” like surgery, stents, transplants, strong pain meds or permanent dialysis access. The pattern was widespread. It happened in cardiology, surgery, transplant medicine, ERs and other medical situations.
It has to be noted that different treatment doesn’t mean bad treatment. Medical approaches should be different under different circumstances. A person’s weight, metabolism, pregnancy factors and symptoms all change treatment. All of those factors are impacted by sex. There are many valid reasons why men and women can have different treatments. The problem is when sex is the only thing determining the change.
Historically, most medical research was done on men’s bodies. Women didn’t have to be included in National Institutes of Health studies until 1993. We know less about women’s bodies. And there was a time when women were diagnosed with hysteria rather than a medical condition.
Today, many medical tests and common guidelines aren’t built for women because of the original research. “Much of the evidence base was built around men. Guidelines, risk scores, diagnostic thresholds, and even equipment may not always reflect women’s physiology,” said Syreen Goulmamine, associate director of research translation and programs at the Society for Women’s Health Research.
“We have to keep wondering: like, are we over-treating men or are we under-treating women?” said Dr. Marcia Stefanick, founding director of the Stanford Women’s Health and Sex Differences in Medicine Center. “That's a question that is worth asking, and just realizing that no matter what, we shouldn’t be treating them the same because they’re not the same.”
“Be specific about your symptoms and how they affect you. Ask direct questions to your providers like, ‘What else could this be?’ or ‘Am I receiving the standard treatment?’” said Ms. Goulmamine. “After a diagnosis, ask about recommended therapies and follow-up care. It can also be helpful to bring someone with you to appointments and take notes.”
Ask how your doctor is deciding what treatment to recommend to you. That isn’t accusing them of giving you subpar treatment! When you ask them to explain why they like one method of treatment over another, you learn more about your options and what is right for you. And never feel bad about asking for a second opinion. You aren’t accusing your doctor of being wrong or negligent; it’s just that two heads are better than one. A second doctor may agree with the first or may have a different treatment plan. By hearing them both out and asking for an explanation of their approaches, you can make an educated choice for yourself.
We think it is important to remember when reading about studies like this that you should never ascribe malice to actions that can be explained by carelessness. Most people aren’t “out to get ya.” Doctors want to give their patients the best quality of care. But they are fallible humans. Having a conversation wherein you ask about the full scope of your treatment options and why the doctor is recommending the treatment for you can help ensure you get the best option.
