Have you ever felt judged, mistreated or discriminated against by healthcare providers?

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Somya.P

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04/04/2024 at 16:36

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Somya.P

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Hello everyone,

I hope this post finds you in good spirits. 😊

An aspect that can deeply affect our experiences in our unique health journeys is the level of understanding, compassion, and respect we receive from healthcare professionals.

Unfortunately, not all interactions are positive, and some of us may have faced misunderstandings, biases, or even discrimination during our medical care. These experiences can range from feeling like our symptoms are not taken seriously, to encountering blatant stigma or bias based on our condition, age, sex, ethnicity, religion, race, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Have you ever felt misunderstood, judged, or unfairly treated by doctors or other healthcare providers because of your chronic condition? How did this impact your well-being? And importantly, how did you navigate these challenges, and do you have any advice for fellow patients who might be experiencing similar situations?

Please feel free to share your thoughts and stories. Remember, this is a safe and supportive space for all of us to speak openly and honestly. Your experiences, both positive and negative, are valuable and can help offer support and guidance to others.

Warm regards,

Somya from the Carenity team 🌼

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Somya.P

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04/04/2024 at 16:53

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Somya.P

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Have you ever felt judged, mistreated or discriminated against by healthcare providers? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/have-you-ever-felt-judged-mistreated-or-discriminated-against-by-healthcare-providers-5292 2024-04-04 16:53:02

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lesmal

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Edited on 04/04/2024 at 18:33

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lesmal

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@Somya.P An interesting topic but it depends on which country or countries one has lived in. I've lived in Zimbabwe, South Africa and now Northern Ireland. I had a great family doctor in my younger years in Zimbabwe until the health system collapsed. The same happened in South Africa and due to lack of doctors, specialists, the high cost of private medical care, lack of hospital equipment and medication, one wasn't given the appropriate medical care.

Since moving to Northern Ireland I've been very lucky to have registered with a caring, knowledgeable and respectable GP who has time for his patients and listens to their feedback, suggestions and thoughts.

Unfortunately my neurologist was different and had his views which I didn't feel comfortable with. I've since requested a 2nd opinion and hope a new neurologist will understand and listen to me as I'm the one with epilepsy and understand how the frequency of seizures affects my body, emotions and more.

I cannot fault the NHS and hospitals. I've always been treated with care, efficiency, kindness and respect.

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robjmckinney

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04/04/2024 at 19:24

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robjmckinney

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@Somya.P Understanding, compassion and respect is certainly missing from the NHS in general today. The human side is slowly being removed from the NHS as this new digital age takes over as our interactions are mostly online or telephone. There is a question over such policies may miss something. As we get older, our dependancy rises on the NHS services but the confusion of old age may mean something important is missed or left out. My wife discussing matters with the consultant on the phone as her politeness and memory does not get the points over. While with my Dad, the 'death nurse' piles in to announce that's your lot and its time to die. I had to fight 'tooth and nail' to get them to give him the operation, then they through a load of fitness tests at him to ensure he would survive. Survive he did passing all the fitness tests, funny because the physio stated he had never been asked to do them before to another old person.

Other sections of my direct family died through the NHS incompetence and I witnessed plenty of times myself poor treatment. Yes, there are plenty wrong in the past and present NHS, setting low standards and failing to achieve them. But then again on other times they have done a reasonable job but not often. I dread my staying on the ward at sometime in my life the appalling food and the thought of ending up on the geriatric ward, worse than hell. Then again with district nurse care has gone down badly recently with the lack of morphine unless the GP prescribes it leaving you in agony in your last days. Predestined to only get worse and more distant from the patient and their care, it is a worry!

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Flip5ter

04/04/2024 at 18:03

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It's hard in this day and age where sensitivities run high, to ascertain what is actual or perceived discrimination

Somya.P

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23/04/2025 at 19:08

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Somya.P

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Hi everyone,

How are you feeling today?

This seems like an important discussion. Feeling judged or dismissed by healthcare professionals can leave a lasting mark, not just on our trust in the system, but on our emotional well-being too. I remember someone once shared that after being waved off during an appointment, they didn’t go back to a doctor for nearly a year… even though their symptoms were getting worse. That hesitation, that doubt—it can stay with you.

So let’s keep this conversation going—because it matters.

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Have you ever felt brushed off or treated differently by a healthcare provider because of your condition or background? What did you do next? And if you’ve had a really compassionate doctor or nurse, what made that experience different?

I’d love to hear more about what you all think!

Take care,

Somya from the Carenity team 🌼

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lesmal

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24/04/2025 at 12:03

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lesmal

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@Somya.P I've always been treated with respect by my doctor, neurologist and any nurses in question.

I have a lot of admiration for our Epilepsy Nurses as they are kind, caring and try to solve any outstanding problems.

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Les

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