Adopting terms like “medical gaslighting” into an already stressed healthcare landscape will only serve to drive a bigger wedge between the practitioner and the patient. We’re experiencing a power shift in knowledge. Both doctor and patient must take care to ensure a collaborative front which together with AI, will result in the best possible outcome.
In recent years, a growing number of patients have reported experiencing what is now termed “medical gaslighting”—a phenomenon where healthcare professionals allegedly dismiss, minimize, or ignore a patient’s symptoms, leading to delayed or inadequate treatment.
The term “gaslighting” originated in 1938 from a British play about a man who intentionally tried to manipulate his wife into believing that she was insane, in order to obtain her inheritance.
Since then, the term has remained a mainstay mostly amongst mental health practitioners to describe scenarios to clinically describe a form of prolonged coercive control in abusive relationships. And in the last 3-4 years, gaslighting has been used extensively to refer to someone who simply refuses to acknowledge your opinion or is dismissive of it.
In 2022, the people at Merriam Webster, the term “gaslighting” won the #1 “word of the year”, with lookups for the term increasing by a whopping 1,740%. “Medical gaslighting”, an obvious extension of the term, became popularized at with the growing sense of dissatisfaction with a healthcare system that seems to be letting patients down.
Are healthcare workers truly dismissing patients and their symptoms or are they operating under constraints that consistently challenge their engagement with patient concerns? With the rapidly developing area of AI-fueled medical care, is this about to get worse or better?
Commonly reported examples of medical gaslighting include:
- Dismissal of Symptoms / Bias in Treatment: Patients, particularly women and marginalized minorities, report that doctors often attribute their pain to anxiety or stress rather than investigating further. These patients feel that they are taken less seriously than white males.
- Delayed Diagnoses: Many patients with conditions like autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, or endometriosis report years of misdiagnosis or being told their symptoms are “in their heads.”
Is Medical Gaslighting a New Phenomenon?
Not really. Nearly everyone has a personal story or one they were told, about sensing that something was wrong with them, followed by a doctor visit and testing resulting in an “everything seems fine” seal of approval, only to find out later that they (the patient) had been right all along. And this has gone on for years. More notable examples were:
- Fibromyalgia was once considered a psychosomatic condition before research confirmed its neurological basis.
- Multiple sclerosis was often misdiagnosed as hysteria in the 19th century.
- Heart disease in women was largely overlooked, with research and treatment guidelines historically based on male patients.
So it seems that this has been a longstanding issue. With this in mind, why are accusations of medical gaslighting on the rise?
Several factors contribute to the surge in medical gaslighting claims:
1. Dr. Google, AI, Real-time health updates.
- It’s believed that 80% of patients Google their symptoms before seeing a doctor, and many consult peer support groups for insights. Patients are feeling more empowered than ever to seeks answers from their doctors’ offices and beyond.
- Patients today are exposed to real-time medical updates (ie. lab results and specialist consultation reports) through patient portals well before they return to their doctor to discuss them.
2. The Pressure on Healthcare Workers.
- Canada’s healthcare system is strained, with overworked physicians and long wait times. Physicians often have 10–15 minutes per patient, limiting deep diagnostic conversations.
- A 2023 report by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) found that 57% of doctors experience burnout, affecting their ability to thoroughly engage with each case.
- When doctors cannot provide immediate solutions, some patients interpret this as dismissiveness rather than a reflection of systemic constraints.
- Without definitive tests for some conditions, doctors may rely on outdated guidelines, leading to perceived medical gaslighting when symptoms don’t fit the textbook case.
The Knowledge Power Shift
Now with the rise of AI-assisted medical diagnosis and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Med-PaLM 2, patients have access to medical knowledge previously reserved for specialists. This introduces a new challenge: patients arrive at appointments armed with AI-generated insights that sometimes conflict with traditional medical judgment.
How Does AI Impact the Perception of Medical Gaslighting?
- Patients can fact-check doctors in real-time: AI models can summarize medical studies instantly, allowing patients to compare physician advice with existing literature.
- Doctors feel increased scrutiny: Medical professionals now contend with algorithmic second opinions, which can sometimes contradict their clinical experience.
- Patients expect personalized answers: AI-powered chatbots provide individualized responses, whereas overburdened doctors may offer generalized guidelines based on their experience.
A 2024 survey of Canadian physicians found that 40% reported patients referencing AI-generated medical advice during consultations. While AI can improve patient empowerment, it can also contribute to unrealistic expectations, leading to tension between healthcare providers and patients.
Statistical and Anecdotal Trends in Canada
- Wait times and medical burnout contribute to patient frustration. In 2022, Canada had an average ER wait time of 4.5 hours—one of the longest among developed nations.
- Chronic illness underdiagnosis is a persistent problem. The Canadian Women’s Health Network reported that conditions like endometriosis take an average of 7–10 years to diagnose due to repeated symptom dismissal.
- AI-driven self-diagnosis is rising. A 2023 study in Canadian Family Physician found that 28% of patients now arrive at their appointments with self-diagnoses based on AI or online research.
Balancing Patient Empowerment and Medical Expertise
While the rise in medical gaslighting accusations signals a critical need for patient advocacy, there is also a risk of eroding trust between patients and physicians. How can both sides navigate this new landscape?
For Patients:
- Use AI and online research as a supplement, not a replacement. AI models are powerful, but they still hallucinate (generate incorrect responses) and should not substitute medical expertise.
- Advocate firmly but collaboratively. If a physician dismisses concerns, request a second opinion, but avoid immediate assumptions of gaslighting.
- Document symptoms comprehensively. Keeping a symptom journal can help provide objective data, reducing reliance on vague descriptions.
For Healthcare Professionals:
- Acknowledge patient research and engagement. Instead of dismissing AI-sourced information, explain potential limitations and provide context.
- Validate patient experiences, even if the diagnosis is uncertain. A statement like “I see you’re experiencing significant discomfort, and I want to find the right path forward” can bridge gaps in understanding.
- Adapt to the AI-augmented patient. Medical professionals should be aware of emerging AI trends, so they can proactively guide patients on how to interpret medical AI insights responsibly.
Medical gaslighting is a complex issue. While it certainly is legitimate concern, it can also be resultant of a stressed healthcare system and a far more demanding patient. It certainly speaks to a shifting of the balance of power between doctor and patient.
Certainly in this time of societal polarization, both doctor and patient should be aware of the fact that even with an advanced medical knowledge base, a collaborative intent on both parts, combined with mutual respect will go a long way to ensure an overall better outcome.
Can we at least agree that imposing a 25% tariff on healthcare services is a likely a step in the wrong direction?
~Read more from The Health Insider~
- Top 10 Secrets Patients Withhold from Their Doctors and Why It’s Worth Reconsidering
Many people withhold critical health information from their doctors, however doing so could backfire in ways you may not have considered. - Medical Gaslighting – Is It Really A Thing?
More people say their symptoms are dismissed, but is AI helping or hurting? With healthcare under pressure, the truth isn’t so simple. - AI Mental Health Companions: Help or Hype?
AI mental health companions promise 24/7 mental health support, but can they replace therapy with a human? Discover their benefits, risks, and best uses.
The information provided on TheHealthInsider.ca is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. TheHealthInsider.ca advises consulting a medical professional or healthcare provider when seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.