#41. Is America’s Healthcare System Broken? A conversation with Susan Salenger

2024-03-05

In this episode, Dr. Leona welcomes Susan Salenger. Susan Salenger is the author and researcher behind SIDELINED: How Women Can Navigate A Broken Healthcare System. SIDELINED examines the many ways in which some women manage and sometimes mismanage their healthcare. Susan explores how women, typically the medical gatekeepers for their families, tend to be extremely conscientious about taking care of themselves, yet at the same time inadvertently undermine their own care. They often hesitate to call the doctor when they don’t feel well and worry that t...

In this episode, Dr. Leona welcomes Susan Salenger. Susan Salenger is the author and researcher behind SIDELINED: How Women Can Navigate A Broken Healthcare System. SIDELINED examines the many ways in which some women manage and sometimes mismanage their healthcare.

Susan explores how women, typically the medical gatekeepers for their families, tend to be extremely conscientious about taking care of themselves, yet at the same time inadvertently undermine their own care. They often hesitate to call the doctor when they don’t feel well and worry that their doctor’s visit will take time away from their families or work. They may hesitate to ask doctors the necessary questions and don’t always comply with the doctor’s instructions. Salenger’s research reveals how conflicted many women are about the medical decisions they ultimately make.

Susan also explores the cultural and medical history that has conditioned women not to act in their own best interest. She offers insights into the gender biases of the medical community, explores why women are misdiagnosed more often than men and why they are routinely omitted from clinical trials.

Designed to help women become more consciously aware, SIDELINED will provide readers with the knowledge, language, and skill sets needed to ensure that women are comfortable advocating for themselves when it comes to their own personal healthcare.

In this episode:

01:01 Guest introduction: Susan Salenger, Author of SIDELINED: How Women Can Navigate A Broken Healthcare System

04:21 Personal story of Susan's own medical journey and the inspiration behind her book SIDELINED

11:54 Caregiving and its impact on women’s health

20:58 The shame that women feel

30:15 Tips on seeking medical assistance and the importance of doing research

42:43 Racial disparities in healthcare

46:47 Take control of your health

Key takeaways:

Women, as primary caregivers, often prioritize family and work over their own health needs.
Susan Salinger's research sheds light on the conflicted nature of women's medical decision-making.
Personal experiences and societal influences play a significant role in women agreeing to unnecessary medical procedures.
The conversation explores the impact of menopause symptoms on women's decisions regarding hysterectomies and other medical interventions.

Connect with Susan Salenger:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

Twitter

Connect with Dr. Leona

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Thank you for listening! Until next time, go out there and achieve more freedom in your health and your life. Take care!

Dr. Leona

Founder, Freedom Health Systems

Host, The Heal Deal Podcast

Author, A Journey to Healing

Author, Freedom in Chains

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