#15/2018
Let's talk health care
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How has August felt for you? If it's been difficult both physically and mentally, you are not alone. There has been a constant flow of conversations reflecting on mental and physical wellness these last weeks. Taking this observation as a cue, it seems a good opportunity to look at health care in this newsletter, in particular, the medical industry. As there are a lot of pieces to the medical industry and for the length of this newsletter, focus will remain on the medical profession (i.e. doctors) and clinical trials.
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Photo by Marcelo Leal on Unsplash
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GENDER INEQUALITIES EXIST HERE TOO
Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash
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Let's start with the incredible female pioneers in medicine.
Nonetheless, in spite of enrollment at medical schools of women now coming close to 50/50 gender balance, when it comes to the actual practising of medicine the numbers don't hold, and of course, the pay gap continues to be prevalent. And although there is an increase of women in the medical field, there remains a lack of women in leadership positions. This article outlines the issues but also provides examples of real solutions that are delivering positive results. |
And what about the biases (often unconsciously done) from the general public, i.e. assuming a female in hospital wear is a nurse or medical assistant and not the doctor, and also coming from other doctors? Studies and personal experiences have brought to light examples of biases, such as female doctors being addressed less often with their ‘Dr’ title than their male peers.
And what about clinical trials?
In spite of the work on pursuing equality between men and women, it cannot be denied that there are clear biological differences. As such, women and men experience pain and react to medication differently. Yet, most clinical trials are done on men. As a result, women can often receive unfitting medical treatment. This is an interesting article that mentions some of the differences women and men experience in spite of what is seemingly the same medical problem, hence why sometimes one medical treatment can't work for both.
Even back in 2015, the harm of incorrect dosages between men and women influenced the Federal Drugs Agency (U.S. – FDA) to state that “it takes sex differences in research seriously and expects pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies to provide data on both men and women.”
Let's not also forget the lack of diversity in clinical trials that also lead to incorrect medical treatments.
And what about clinical trials?
In spite of the work on pursuing equality between men and women, it cannot be denied that there are clear biological differences. As such, women and men experience pain and react to medication differently. Yet, most clinical trials are done on men. As a result, women can often receive unfitting medical treatment. This is an interesting article that mentions some of the differences women and men experience in spite of what is seemingly the same medical problem, hence why sometimes one medical treatment can't work for both.
Even back in 2015, the harm of incorrect dosages between men and women influenced the Federal Drugs Agency (U.S. – FDA) to state that “it takes sex differences in research seriously and expects pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies to provide data on both men and women.”
Let's not also forget the lack of diversity in clinical trials that also lead to incorrect medical treatments.
BITE-SIZE
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
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Watch: Joan Jett, if you never heard of her, it's time. Some inspiration even if you don't want to be a rock star musician. "Tell me I can't do something, you know I'm going to be doing it" - Joan Jett.
Read: The last newsletter mentioned women's role in the history of champagne, but what about the use of champagne during the London Marathon as an energy drink? How times have changed, perhaps thanks to medical practice and research. Listen: BBC Radio 4 did a four-part series about happiness. This is the first episode and you can listen to the other three here. |
Published in August 2018.