November 20th 2024.
For six years, Julie Snook struggled to make doctors understand the severity of her mysterious illness. Every time she ended up in the emergency room, she felt like her concerns were dismissed and her condition was left to worsen without a proper diagnosis or treatment. As a presenter, communications adviser, and former 9News journalist, she shared her frustration with 9news.com.au, revealing that she often felt like she was being accused of making up her symptoms. Sadly, she found that many women have had similar experiences, with their concerns being ignored or downplayed by medical professionals.
The recent Patient Experiences report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has shed light on this issue, showing that women are less likely than men to have positive experiences with hospital doctors, specialists, and nurses. According to the report, while 72% of men felt that their concerns were always listened to carefully, only 62% of women felt the same way. Similarly, only 66% of women reported always feeling respected by doctors and specialists, compared to 76% of men. And when it came to the amount of time spent with medical professionals, the gap was even wider, with only 58% of women saying they always had enough time, compared to 69% of men.
Julie Snook can relate to these findings all too well. It wasn't until she was 19 years old that she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition that affects one in seven Australian women. However, this was after years of pleading with dismissive doctors for answers. She soon realized that her experiences were not unique, and she now serves as an ambassador for Endometriosis Australia, advocating for better understanding and treatment of the condition. She has seen firsthand the challenges that women can face when they don't feel heard or respected by medical professionals, particularly in a hospital setting.
Unfortunately, it's not just endometriosis that is often overlooked or dismissed in women. The ABS report also revealed that women are more likely to delay or avoid seeking help for mental health concerns due to cost. This is something that Julie Snook understands, as she knows that many women, especially mothers, tend to prioritize the well-being of others over their own.
The statistics from the ABS report are not surprising to Julie Snook, as they reflect what many women have been saying for years about the unequal treatment they receive in the medical system. She hopes that these findings will drive positive change and action towards addressing these issues. In the meantime, she encourages everyone to stay informed and take care of their own health. And for those who need help staying up to date, she recommends downloading the 9NEWS app, which provides the latest news, sports, politics, and weather updates, as well as notifications sent directly to your smartphone. The app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
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