According to a 2019 study by the Indian Statistical Institute, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and Harvard University, gender discrimination prevents women from accessing equal healthcare in India. At Delhi-based public hospital AIIMS, only 37 per cent of women could access healthcare, compared to 67 per cent of men.
Gender bias in healthcare is rampant not only in India but all across the world. What is gender bias? Well, it means preferring one gender over another. This is based on the belief that one gender is superior to the other and these biased views can seriously affect health outcomes.
According to a 2020 report by the United Nations, almost 90 per cent of people have gender biases against women. Whether you’re aware of it or not–think consciously or unconsciously–you could be reinforcing biases in your everyday life. In most cultures, men are considered to be superior to women. This leads to women being more affected by gender biases when compared to men.
Ways in which gender bias exists in healthcare systems
Scepticism when symptoms are expressed
In a 2018 study published in Pain Research and Management, doctors often view men who suffer from chronic pain as ‘brave’ but think women with chronic pain can be ‘emotional.’ It also found that doctors were more likely to treat women’s pain as a result of a mental health condition, rather than a physical one. Another 2018 study found that many healthcare professionals believed that women exaggerate their pain.
Workplace harassment, bullying, and discrimination
A 2020 study of older women doctors found that age- and gender-related harassment, discrimination and pay gaps persisted throughout their careers.
Gaps in medical research
In the past, scientists believed that men were ideal test subjects as they didn’t have menstrual cycles and couldn’t get pregnant. This means that a lot of research from the 1990s was based on the anatomy of men alone, resulting in a lack of awareness of how certain drugs and diseases may affect female and intersex people.
Ending gender bias
Recognise the bias
Realising the problem is half the battle won. Understanding the prejudice and actively taking steps to unlearn it can go a long way in bringing change.
Diversity in research
It is important to include women and intersex people in all relevant studies. Additional steps –including but not limited to funding–must be taken to undo the damage that decades of research that has been carried out on only men have brought about.
Equal treatment guidelines for all patients
Over the years, many studies have found variations in the ways that doctors diagnose and treat patients. Women are asked fewer questions about their symptoms and often prescribed less medication than they need. Having a standard evidence-based protocol for treatment can help reduce the risk of implicit bias in healthcare.