Two out of three women sometimes feel unheard in healthcare when discussing symptoms, requesting a referral or considering treatment options with a doctor. This is according to a representative KiesKompas survey of 14,000 women aged 16 and over. The report was presented to the House of Representatives on Monday.
Only one in five women believes healthcare professionals listen well to women. Women aged 25 to 54 with unexplained symptoms are particularly likely to report feeling misunderstood during medical consultations. Among women with a condition or disability, fewer than half feel they receive sufficient help from healthcare services.
Women also say they feel less informed about health topics that specifically affect them, such as menopause, than about general health issues. Women of all ages say they want more information on these subjects. They also want more research and education on health issues that specifically affect women.
Stress levels
Discussing health problems at work is also difficult. Two out of three women say they do not feel comfortable talking about health complaints in the workplace.
According to the study, this can negatively affect their productivity and stress levels. A quarter of women stopped working earlier than they had intended as a result.
Talking about health complaints with friends and family is not always easy either. Genital conditions, in particular, remain difficult to discuss.
The KiesKompas findings were presented on Monday alongside a second study. That research examined the personal experiences of 5,000 women who have become stuck in the healthcare system because of long-term and unexplained health complaints.
Budget
Voices For Women conducted the second study. A lack of recognition emerged in almost all of the women’s accounts, with the vast majority saying they did not feel taken seriously. Only one in four said she felt heard by her healthcare provider.
In March, PRO MP Lisa Vliegenthart raised concerns about problems faced by many women and girls in the Dutch healthcare system. This led to a proposal for a broad study to identify bottlenecks by examining their experiences.
The House of Representatives subsequently approved a budget for the studies.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
