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Related: About this forumLast Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) - Bias In Medicine (with Wanda Sykes and Larry David)
John Oliver discusses the roles that gender and racial bias can play in medical treatment.
Behind the Aegis
(53,956 posts)There is also a real bias against the LGBT community, as well. My brother is a doctor and a few months ago attended a bias training in Boston dealing with these very topics, including anti-LGBT bigotry, in the medical field. I sure women and people of color are familiar with this, as are LGBT people, but I sure there are many who aren't in those groups and this is new information. It is amazing how bias is so ingrained in so many areas of our lives.
Rhiannon12866
(205,294 posts)She's both smart and entertaining! I became aware of the bias against females ages ago. I was a psych major and remember hearing that women weren't included in most medical studies. And the ignorance regarding black people truly boggles the mind! So it certainly figures that LGBT people would confront the same issues as well. And yet this is still happening in the 21st century!
Behind the Aegis
(53,956 posts)I got my master's in University administration, and in all the studies about diversity, LGBT were never mentioned (I actually created a course which is still taught there...well a version of it), so I wasn't surprised when I spoke to my friends getting psych degrees and finding out various groups were "studied" but not really, like the example in the piece about uterine cancer and NO women! WTF?! While heart attack symptoms can be different for women, so can stroke symptoms, something many women don't even know!
If you haven't seen Wanda's newest standup (I think it is a few months old) on Netflix, check it out! It is a scream!
Rhiannon12866
(205,294 posts)And I went to a pretty progressive school, so we were discussing these issues even back then. I remember hearing that women experience the symptoms of a heart attack differently, yet even now not much has changed. And the uterine cancer study he reported on truly boggles the mind!
That is very cool that you broke new ground in creating a course! I knew several gay classmates when I was in school, like I said my school was pretty progressive, it was never a secret. But I discovered recently that one of my psych professors was as well. That was never mentioned.
And thanks for the recommendation! Wanda Sykes is a long time favorite. I can also recommend "Alpha House," which I watched ages ago - she was also in that, just not of the main characters. That was also very funny and has a terrific cast - Rachel Maddow even makes an appearance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_House
Behind the Aegis
(53,956 posts)It was a hoot!
It really is sad when people just don't understand differences don't have to mean people are unworthy, but it means they are different, and those differences add to who they are.
Rhiannon12866
(205,294 posts)The characters were just terrific! I watched several episodes more than once. There was talk of them doing a third season and I was hopeful, but I guess it's not going to happen...
bronxiteforever
(9,287 posts)alwaysinasnit
(5,066 posts)2naSalit
(86,579 posts)SLClarke
(42 posts)For those interested, you could read "Invisible Women" by Perez, which looks at multiple fields where this bias exists, however, as a health care provider, the one titled "The Yentl Syndrome" is the most disturbing.
Mind you, the example of men being studied regarding uterine issues is appalling and crazy and weird, and at the same time, almost funny in its ignorance and blindness. Misogyny rules!
Very happy that Oliver brought this up.
erronis
(15,241 posts)All of us. Not just the US. Not just the so-called descents of the Mayflower or the DAR.
Loving Wanda!
LittleGirl
(8,287 posts)All my life. I couldnt get pregnant and no doctor could figure it out. After my hysterectomy, I found out I had thyroid disease. WTF? A simple blood test is all that was needed but instead I suffered with low thyroid, EBV, endometriosis, poly cystic ovary syndrome and surgical menopause by age 44. Never once given pain medication and even my mother told me to suck it up and quit complaining. I have PTSD from my poor health yet nobody believed me, including the doctors. The best thing I did was find a Naturopathic MD who helped me get healthy. She was the only one that listened to me. I owe her my good health now. Shes a saint in my book.
Rhiannon12866
(205,294 posts)There's no excuse for that in this day of medical advances, but John and Wanda spoke the truth. I'm low thyroid, have been on meds for years, but my issue back in the '90s was fibroids. I was lucky, had my first two surgeries at Mass General in Boston - I was determined to avoid a hysterectomy. Yet my grandmother, who was pretty enlightened about most things, kept saying "tell that nice nurse in Boston to remove your female organs." By that, she meant my surgeon who was female! I could actually laugh about it at the time. And I was in a lot of pain, but got a extension of my pain meds from my acupuncture doctor - I saw him regularly and it helped, but didn't cure me, I needed the surgery. And he kept telling me to "just call her (my surgeon) - it's not like a scalpel is going to shoot out of the phone!" We females go through a lot, I've been there, too...
LittleGirl
(8,287 posts)been there too. So sorry you had to live with it too. Hugs my friend.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)And I loved seeing Wanda Sykes! Humorous as usual, but its a very serious issue. This is why all my doctors are women (with the exception of an orthopedic trauma surgeon, but I didn't have much of a choice and he was the top Dr. at MGH, so I didn't mind that much).
I feel like female doctors take me more seriously and spend more time with me. I really love the doctors I have here in Boston and I feel like I get excellent care. I am sure there are many fine male doctors out there as well, but if they don't have a woman's body, they don't really know what it feels like to be us. They will never really understand, and many of the old-timers aren't the least bit empathetic.
Anyway, I think as time goes on we will see more female and minority doctors and healthcare professionals and this bias will change.
Thanks for posting, Rhiannon!
Rhiannon12866
(205,294 posts)He rarely has guests, so Wanda Sykes was a special treat - and quite perfect at what she had to say, and with humor, too! I think I told you that I had surgery (twice) at Mass General and the surgeon who I was lucky to find - she was recommended to me - was female! I agree that Boston is the best place in this part of the country to go for serious medical issues. Someone I know just had serious - and successful - heart surgery also at Mass General - and he's a doctor himself, so knew the best place to go!
LittleGirl
(8,287 posts)The fine doctors at Mass General all over the country!
Video Drone
(75 posts)Not on every issue, but this guy is NO PHONY FOX PHYSICIAN!
Rhiannon12866
(205,294 posts)I have no reason to doubt John Oliver's research, he always has a solid show - or admits it if there has been a mistake - but this was a topic that resonated with people personally, so the follow up is appreciated! And welcome to DU!