This episode was very personal for me. I am single, never married, no children, no siblings and I only have my 75-year-old, yet very healthy mom as my immediate family. This petrifies me when I think about if or when I get sick down the line. Who will be my person or my people when I need help or if I am unable to speak for myself? But this episode was eye-opening for me hearing that a physician could potentially withhold the most efficacious treatment for a life-threatening disease based on my marital status.
In today's healthcare system, biases abound, influencing the treatment and experiences of patients across the spectrum. One of the less discussed but crucial biases is how marital status impacts the medical care a person receives. The narrative, as Joan DelFattore unveils in episode 32, Singlehood and Sickness: Breaking Stereotypes of the Unmarried, a glaring discrepancy in the care afforded to unmarried patients compared to their married counterparts.
The Problem: Bias in Healthcare for Singles
Joan DelFattore, a professor emerita and active crusader for healthcare equity, sheds light on the biases faced by unmarried individuals seeking medical care. Her journey, beginning with a life-threatening diagnosis of stage 4 gallbladder cancer, uncovers how assumptions about social support based on marital status can severely alter the course of medical treatment. The issue is not isolated. Studies reveal that unmarried patients are less likely to receive recommended surgeries or radiotherapies compared to married individuals. Such assumptions—that unmarried people are less motivated, lack social support, or show compliance issues—are ingrained deeply in the medical literature and perceptions.
Joan's Story: An Example of Unchecked Bias
Joan experienced these biases firsthand when seeking chemotherapy options. While one oncologist assumed her lack of a traditional family structure meant she couldn’t comply with rigorous treatment, another, more understanding team at a renowned medical facility provided her with the necessary aggressive treatment. This treatment saved her life, highlighting how critical the correct approach is, regardless of marital status. Her subsequent research demonstrated that such biases are not the exceptions but a recognized "norm" in healthcare—a norm that needs urgent addressal and transformation. Joan’s advocacy focuses on spreading awareness about these implicit biases. Recognizing that these biases are a part of human nature. Importantly, she emphasizes education and awareness can catalyze significant changes in how healthcare professionals perceive and treat unmarried patients.
A Call for Change in Healthcare Systems To improve healthcare equity, Joan suggests several actionable recommendations:
Screen for Social Support: Integrating questions about social support into standard patient questionnaires can help assess a patient’s actual support network beyond marital status.
Educate Healthcare Providers: Encouraging healthcare providers to be aware of their implicit biases can shift perspectives toward more equitable treatment.
Review and Rectify Medical Literature: Challenging longstanding assumptions in medical literature and paying attention to citations that propagate biases is critical.
Foster Community Support: Communities of singles can provide robust support systems outside traditional family structures, which should be recognized by the healthcare system.
Joan DelFattore's research and activism highlight an often-overlooked aspect of healthcare disparity. Her work calls for systems to change perceptions about unmarried patients and ensure they receive the care they deserve, grounded in factual assessments of their social support and personal desires, rather than outdated biases. As the dynamics of marriage and family continue to evolve, so must the approaches and assumptions held by those charged with safeguarding our health.
You can listen or view the entire episode on:
▶️ YouTube
▶️Spotify
...or wherever you get your podcasts.
There are so many ways to prepare for a health situation as a single persons such as wills, trusts, advanced directives, living wills, etc. It's a lot to think about. But you can be prepared with a few small safeguards in mind. For more information on how to advocate for yourself in a health situation as a single, download this free resource flipbook, "Advocacy Tips for Single Patients".
Stay well and keep pushing for answers!
Laura
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