I recall, years ago, both having a head cold and also persistent pain in my knees. I’d booked a doctor’s appointment for the knees; I knew the cold just needed rest and with work being as busy as it was I figured I’d use the time I already had taken off for the bug to get in for my knees.
My partner watched me drag my sad, snotty body out of my track pants and hoody into smart casual clothes, put on makeup, fix my hair. He was like, ‘why are you doing that - you’re sick, you’re going to a doctor, you can look sick.’
I was like, ‘yeah, but I need to make sure I’m taken seriously and have the best chance of considered care. You don’t get that guarantee as a woman. Got to ‘look like’ a real patient.’
I think I read a study years ago about it, but I can’t find it now. But my own anecdotal experience is that if I dress how I feel, I get worse treatment. The impression I get is they think my thoughts/concerns are hypochondria/Dr. Google nonsense.
If I dress how I would for work - casual professional, I’m seen as an insightful patient with some valid speculation about my problem. Male doctors are the worst but I’ve experienced it with women too.
It’s fucked. It’s an obvious privilege too. If you don’t work a white collar job and don’t have those outfits in your wardrobe, or an interest in wearing makeup or whatever - does that mean you’re just always going to get slightly worst treatment than me?
I’m not even getting into the POC aspect, can’t even imagine that on top.