The Doc Talk Podcast
Dr. Shazma Mithani and Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe have spent years navigating the health care system. Not just as doctors for their patients, but as moms for their kids, and patients themselves. And they know it's not always straightforward.
Every two weeks they'll take a real question from a real patient, and provide in-depth answers with a clear path to action, with help from other trusted experts.
No jargon. No time wasted. Just real talk about real issues from two doctors who've seen it all. And they'll give you the inside scoop on how to navigate the health care system like a pro.
This is The Doc Talk.
Disclaimer: The Doc Talk is for general information purposes only. This podcast is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor. While we are doctors, we are not your doctor. Always speak to your own healthcare provider for questions related to your personal health needs.
The Doc Talk Podcast
30. Are Women Being Gaslit in Medicine?
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For International Women’s Day, we’re tackling a difficult but important question: are women’s symptoms being dismissed in healthcare?
Research shows that women experience higher rates of missed and delayed diagnoses for several major conditions. Women under 55 are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed during a heart attack. Endometriosis takes an average of 7–10 years to diagnose. And women account for roughly 75–80% of autoimmune disease cases, often after years of unexplained symptoms.
So what’s going on?
In this episode, we break down the data behind women’s health inequities, why these patterns occur and how system pressures, research gaps and cognitive bias can contribute to women feeling unheard in medical settings.
We also talk about the broader consequences of this trust gap, why it matters for the future of Canadian healthcare and how clinicians, patients and policymakers can help move the system forward.
This episode is not about blaming individual doctors. It’s about understanding patterns, rebuilding trust and asking what needs to change so women’s symptoms are taken seriously.
In this episode we discuss:
• Why cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women
• The long road to diagnosis for conditions like endometriosis and autoimmune disease
• How research history has shaped modern medicine
• System pressures in Canadian healthcare that affect complex diagnoses
• The role of cognitive bias in clinical decision-making
• Why women may feel dismissed in medical encounters
• Practical ways patients can advocate for themselves
• What clinicians and health systems can do to improve trust and outcomes
Thank you to our sponsor, FIGS.
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Disclaimer
A reminder that The Doc Talk is for general information purposes only. This podcast is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor. While we are doctors, we are not your doctor. Always speak to your own healthcare provider for questions related to your personal health needs.
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