The #1 Reason Doctors Treat Patients Poorly: Weight
New survey research from YouGov serves up a timely reminder of the problem with weight bias in healthcare. The research, fielded in late June, found that most American adults (53%) have an unfavorable view of the U.S. healthcare system. About one in three persons report negative treatment because of their identity. And weight is the #1 reason people named for the being treated poorly by doctors.
Women Feel It Most
Overall, 43% of adults say they have received worse treatment from doctors because of their weight. But there is a striking difference between men and women on this measure. While 51% of women say they have received poor treatment because of their weight, only 34% of men do.
There is also a strong skew in the age of persons who experience this. In the age range of 30 to 44 years, reports of this kind of treatment are sharply higher, with 56% of men and women reporting it.
Avoiding Care
Such experiences are a major reason for avoiding medical care. Again, women report this most often. Because of negative experiences with a previous doctor, 40% of women and 23% of men say they have avoided seeking medical care.
In a recent interview with Medscape, obesity medicine physician Jaime Almandoz explained:
“Most healthcare providers do not get much meaningful education on obesity during medical school or postgraduate training, and many of their opinions may be influenced by the pervasive weight bias that exists in society.
“Many people with obesity have had traumatic and stigmatizing experiences with well-intentioned healthcare providers. This can lead to the avoidance of routine healthcare and screenings and potential exacerbations and maladaptive health behaviors.
“Be mindful of the environment that you and your office create for people with obesity. Consider getting additional education and information about weight bias.”
Listening
In the YouGov research, one possibility rises to the top for easing these negative experience. Notably, 82% of adults said that doctors can put them at ease simply by listening. Being receptive to questions, talking through everything, and believing patients came up frequently.
In other words, listening and caring what a patient has to say can go a long way toward overcoming the burden of bias and stigma in medical care.
Click here and here for more on the YouGov research, here for more on bias about obesity from Medscape.
Portrait of a Woman, painting by Arshile Gorky / WikiArt
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August 8, 2024
