Thank you for your advice on countering weight-related patient gaslighting! As a physician who is anti-fatphobia and anti-weight stigma, I spend a large part of my energy UNDOING the harm of weight-related patient gaslighting for my patients. I believe refusing to look past fat is a denial of patient's bodily autonomy and a violation of our ethical codes.
No one in medicine (I hope) set out to gaslight patients. But somewhere (or everywhere) along the way, we become gaslighters. THIS is a systemic problem -- a system that pits patients and physicians against each other, a deep rooted tradition that prevents both parties from doing what they really want to and need to do.
Your advice "“what would you recommend to a thin person in this situation” is a mighty good one! I ask myself a similar question "would I have done it differently if this patient in front of me is of a different socioeconomic class?" And I must add this question to my self-inspection list!!
Thanks! I had a gastroenterologist tell me the only thing that would stop reflux (other than the med I was about to stop taking) was losing weight. He then told me he knew how hard it is because he's still trying to lose the last 10 pounds he needs to lose. I wish I had asked him this: How much weight should I lose? How long do you think that will take? What else can I do during that period of time. Instead I just switched doctors in the practice but who knew if I'd get the same attitude.
That’s why going to the doctor is a waste of time! They believe they are god! I know they are just drug subscribers! 65 yr. old woman who has tried for decades and I still have muscle relaxers from 10 yrs ago! Or was that Vicodin ?
Hi Christine, I wrote an article about this at the link below that I think might help. If this wasn't what you were looking for just let me know and I'll be happy to take another swing at it!
I wonder if requesting that you put a note in your medical file documenting this exchange would change their tune?:
Dr. told me thin people do not get knee pain and the only treatment for me is to lose weight.
Dr. refused to refer to PT or other modality for treatment.
Question- is this the normal Standard of Care/Best Practice for heavier patients?
This is an excellent idea, thank you! I'm adding it (with credit, of course, to the post above!
Thank you for your advice on countering weight-related patient gaslighting! As a physician who is anti-fatphobia and anti-weight stigma, I spend a large part of my energy UNDOING the harm of weight-related patient gaslighting for my patients. I believe refusing to look past fat is a denial of patient's bodily autonomy and a violation of our ethical codes.
I believe weight stigma is bad medicine.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/110947?trw=no
No one in medicine (I hope) set out to gaslight patients. But somewhere (or everywhere) along the way, we become gaslighters. THIS is a systemic problem -- a system that pits patients and physicians against each other, a deep rooted tradition that prevents both parties from doing what they really want to and need to do.
Your advice "“what would you recommend to a thin person in this situation” is a mighty good one! I ask myself a similar question "would I have done it differently if this patient in front of me is of a different socioeconomic class?" And I must add this question to my self-inspection list!!
Thanks! I had a gastroenterologist tell me the only thing that would stop reflux (other than the med I was about to stop taking) was losing weight. He then told me he knew how hard it is because he's still trying to lose the last 10 pounds he needs to lose. I wish I had asked him this: How much weight should I lose? How long do you think that will take? What else can I do during that period of time. Instead I just switched doctors in the practice but who knew if I'd get the same attitude.
That’s why going to the doctor is a waste of time! They believe they are god! I know they are just drug subscribers! 65 yr. old woman who has tried for decades and I still have muscle relaxers from 10 yrs ago! Or was that Vicodin ?
Sorry for making two comments but they are separate. Thoughts on what to do if this doctor is also telling you ob*sity is a disease?
Hi Christine, I wrote an article about this at the link below that I think might help. If this wasn't what you were looking for just let me know and I'll be happy to take another swing at it!
https://weightandhealthcare.substack.com/p/reader-question-why-do-they-say-tha
Great, thanks Ragen!