Negative experiences with the healthcare system are unfortunately all too common for many women in the United States. Women face numerous challenges when seeking healthcare, ranging from being dismissed or ignored by healthcare providers to being denied access to essential medical care.

A new report released this week by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) demonstrates how poorly many women believe their doctors have treated them.

Key Findings

In the 2022 KFF Women's Health Survey (WHS), 29% of women aged 18 to 64 who had seen a healthcare provider in the previous two years reported that their doctor dismissed their concerns. One-fifth (19%) said their doctor assumed them without asking, and 15% said their provider did not believe them. Worse, 13% said a healthcare provider told them they were personally to blame for a health problem they were having. Almost one in ten (9%) people reported being discriminated against because of their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or another personal characteristic.

Overall, 38% of women and 32% of men reported having at least one of these experiences. When it comes to feeling dismissed by a healthcare provider, there are statistically significant differences between men and women (29% of women reported this experience compared to 21% of men). Similarly, 15% of women said their doctor didn't believe them, compared to 12% of men, and nearly twice as many women as men reported discrimination (9% vs. 5%).

Negative experiences were more prevalent among younger women. Nearly half (46%) of women aged 18 to 35 who had a healthcare encounter in the previous two years say they had a negative experience with a healthcare provider. These figures were held for women in low-income households (45%), women without health insurance (46%), and women with a disability or chronic health condition (45%).

Lack of access to quality care is one of the most significant challenges that women face.

Women are more likely than men to be poor, making it difficult to obtain medical care. Furthermore, women are frequently responsible for caregiving duties, which can make it difficult to find time to see a healthcare provider. These difficulties are exacerbated for women of color, who are more likely to be poor and face discrimination in the healthcare system.

Even when women have access to healthcare, they are frequently subjected to discrimination and bias from healthcare providers. According to research, healthcare providers are more likely to dismiss women's symptoms and complaints than men's, resulting in delayed diagnoses and treatments. Furthermore, women are frequently subjected to unnecessary and invasive medical procedures, such as pelvic exams and mammograms, which can be painful and even traumatic.

Women who are pregnant are especially vulnerable to mistreatment in the healthcare system. Black women, in particular, are more likely than white women to experience pregnancy and childbirth complications, and they are more likely to die as a result of those complications. Even when Black women express concerns about their health, healthcare providers frequently dismiss or ignore them.

Access to healthcare is also difficult for transgender and gender-nonconforming people. Many healthcare providers lack knowledge and training about the unique healthcare needs of these people, and their treatment may be dismissive or discriminatory.

A lack of diversity among healthcare providers, inadequate training on gender and race issues, and a profit-driven healthcare system that prioritizes cost savings over patient care are all factors that contribute to these negative experiences.

However, some steps can be taken to improve women's healthcare experiences.

One critical step is to increase the diversity of healthcare providers. Patients are more likely to receive high-quality care when they see providers who share their racial, ethnic, and gender identities, according to research. 

Finally, it is critical to address the systemic issues that contribute to healthcare disparities. Addressing poverty and income inequality, improving access to healthcare for underserved communities, and addressing discrimination and bias in the healthcare system are all part of this.

In conclusion, negative healthcare experiences are a significant issue for many women in the United States. We can, however, work to improve healthcare experiences for all women, regardless of race, gender identity, or socioeconomic status, by prioritizing diversity, patient-centered care, and systemic change.