Patients are turning to social media and using the hashtag #medicalgaslighting to express their discontent over lackluster healthcare interactions that leave them feeling unheard, Fox News reported June 1.
Medical gaslighting refers to instances in which patients — often younger adults, women or people of color — feel clinicians inappropriately dismiss their health concerns.
As of June 1, content using the hashtag has garnered more than 226 million views on TikTok among users sharing their frustrations and dissatisfaction with healthcare interactions. The phenomenon can not only hinder patient experience but also contribute to disparate health outcomes.
"Medical gaslighting by healthcare providers can have a devastating impact on women," Shawana Moore, DNP, MSN, a board-certified women's health nurse practitioner in Atlanta, told Fox News. "These experiences can erode trust in medical professionals, create feelings of self-doubt and lead to delays in receiving proper care."
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