People who have dealt with weight issues sometimes feel like their doctors have little understanding of their struggles. About 40% of doctors admit that they have negative feelings about their “higher-weight” patients. Female patients are more likely to report that their doctors have voiced these negative feelings directly to them.
While this “fatphobia,” as it’s been called, can be harmful to a person’s self-esteem, what can be even more dangerous is when doctors blame a patient’s symptoms or medical issues on their weight without doing further investigation. This can lead to missed diagnoses and misdiagnoses.
Doctors’ attitudes can keep patients away
It can also cause patients to avoid the doctor – and regular exams and screenings that everyone should have. It’s likely not a coincidence that higher-weight women are more likely to die from breast and cervical cancer than other women. These are two types of cancer that are generally survivable if caught and treated early.
Extremely large patients also report barriers to access – much like some disabled patients face. A doctor’s office or clinic may not have scales, tables, screening equipment, blood pressure cuffs or even gowns that fit them. This too can keep people from getting the preventative care they need.
Carrying more weight than is healthy can lead to a range of medical issues. However, it’s not the cause of every medical condition. Certainly, if a doctor doesn’t seem to be able to look past a patient’s weight or treat them with respect, they should find another doctor. That’s not always possible, however – particularly in smaller towns or rural areas.
When can a doctor be liable for a missed diagnosis?
You can’t hold a doctor liable for a missed diagnosis if you didn’t go in to see them – even if it was because they made you feel unwelcome. However, if a doctor has failed to diagnose a medical condition – or misdiagnosed it – and caused harm as a result, it may be possible to hold them liable for medical malpractice.
That’s true whether the reason was “fatphobia,” some other prejudice or just plain negligence. It’s wise to get experienced legal guidance as soon as possible to assess your case.