Treatment is more comfortable. Some individuals may feel uncomfortable sharing intimate, painful or traumatizing life experiences in a mixed-gender group setting. Because of this, gender-specific treatment often offers an environment that feels more safe and welcoming.
Full Answer
Should treatment be gender-specific?
Less time is spent on gender issues. When treatment is gender-specific, facilitators such as clinical counselors and recovery specialists spend less time addressing gender issues that may not apply to some of the group.
Can Gender Medicine transform men’s health?
Far from being a minority feminist movement riding the wave of #MeToo awareness, the new field of gender medicine is rebuilding medicine from the foundations of sound science. In the process, it may transform men’s health too.
Why is gender medicine so hard to get into clinical trials?
Cost is a significant barrier: one reason why drug researchers have been slow to pick up on gender medicine is that it is more expensive to have women in trials than men.
What is the role of gender in therapy?
The important part is for the therapist or counselor to understand how gender informs experience and approach treatment plans with that lens. Just as men and women often need different dosages of medicine, they need different approaches to therapeutic treatments as well.
How does gender influence health care?
Gender inequality also poses barriers for women and girls to access health information and critical services, including restrictions on mobility, lack of decision-making autonomy, limited access to finances, lower literacy rates and discriminatory attitudes of healthcare providers.
Why is gender diversity important in healthcare?
Clinical outcomes correlate to a diverse workforce; in cardiac care, for example, women treated by female doctors are more likely to survive a heart attack than women treated by male doctors; and male doctors are more effective at treating heart attacks when they work in hospitals with more female doctors.
Is there a gender bias in healthcare?
Gender bias in healthcare is widespread. Patients, doctors, researchers, and administrators can all hold biased views about gender. These views affect how the healthcare system works and have a serious impact on health outcomes. Gender bias is a preference for one gender over another.
Do men receive better healthcare?
While you can see the gender bias at play in all factors of healthcare, it's most obvious when it comes to heart disease and cancer. According to the National Institute of Health, only 39% of women who had a cardiac arrest in public were given CPR compared to 45% of men.
Why is healthcare female dominated?
They found that people perceived internal factors (e.g., lack of motivation, lack of ability) to be the main barrier to men's entry into female-dominated fields, whereas external factors (e.g., discrimination, stereotyping) were seen as a larger factor in women's underrepresentation in male-dominated careers.
Why does diversity matter in medicine?
Studies show that students trained at diverse schools are more comfortable treating patients from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. When the physician is the same race as the patient, patients report higher levels of trust and satisfaction. The visits even last longer—by 2.2 minutes, on average.
How can we prevent gender bias in healthcare?
Addressing it That said, both healthcare professionals and patients can take steps to challenge gender bias. For doctors, this begins with medical training, which should address the reality of gender bias and teach doctors strategies to avoid making medical decisions based on stereotypes and prejudiced beliefs.
Who is more health conscious male or female?
The observed gender differences in the current and previous studies might have significant implications for public health. Findings are consistent that women are more health conscious than men –both in general [8] and in specific regards to their diet [7].
Who are the leaders in gender medicine?
Leaders in gender medicine such as McGregor and Kautzky-Willer believe that a revolution in medical research is now required, so that data for women and men is systematically and separately gathered in every trial for every drug or treatment.
What are the factors that affect gender health?
In all, there are an enormous number of factors at play. “Gender health differences are the result of differences in genetic makeup, hormones, epigenetics – the effects of the environment on gene expression – and social factors,” says Kautzky-Willer.
What is the difference between gender and sex?
‘Sex’ refers to the biological differences between males and females. ‘Gender’ refers to a person’s characteristics or identity as shaped by society and the environment as well as biology.
Will pharmaceutical companies take gender into account?
The big step forward, says Kautzky-Willer, will be when pharmaceutical companies routinely take account of gender in their big trials of new drugs. “There will be costs, but it will only happen if the companies do it, because only they can afford to take on such large studies.”.
Do men and women have different biologies?
Men and women have completely different biologies, and yet doctors prescribe the same drugs and doses to everyone, regardless of sex. The results can be damaging, even deadly. Is it time that medicine treated men and women differently?
Do women have a stronger immune system than men?
For example, women have a faster and stronger immune response than men (so men are significantly more likely to die of infectious diseases), but women are more likely to have autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Women’s and men’s metabolism, experiences of pain, and likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease are all different.
Is gender medicine just about women?
What she means is that gender medicine isn’t just about women. It’s about improving medicine for men as well. After all, trials that currently mix men and women are potentially making the results inaccurate for men too.
Sex Differences vs. Gender Differences
It’s important to note that there is a fundamental difference when it comes to sex and gender in regards to substance abuse. Sex differences are those determined by biological and genetic differences in men and women, while gender differences are determined by a culturally defined role, such as how a person views himself or herself. 2
Men and Women Have Different Treatment Needs
Research has shown that men and women have varying treatment needs for addiction because drug and alcohol abuse affects each sex differently in a number of ways.
Benefits of Gender-Specific Treatment
Just as there are many differences between the way men and women experience addiction, there are also many benefits to providing separate treatment. Although very few studies have compared gender-specific treatment to mixed-gender treatment for addiction, there are several clear ways both men and women may benefit from gender-specific treatment. 6
Why is gender specific treatment important?
Gender-specific treatment for substance abuse can also be particularly beneficial to women, as it helps women get over common barriers that prevent them from getting treatment. Women are less likely to seek help even if they are facing serious consequences for their addiction.
Why is gender specific treatment for alcohol and addiction so important?
Because gender-specific treatment for alcohol and addiction rehab is so important, the United States has changed the way women are treated for addiction. Medical professionals are dedicated to ensuring that addicted women are given the help they need to recover from their substance abuse disorder.
What is gender specific rehab?
Gender-specific rehabs offer the same type of evidence-based treatment approaches are regular rehab facilities. The primary difference is that these treatment facilities are able to offer alcohol and drug addiction treatment with extra care for the specific needs of women. This enhances the recovery process.
How are men and women different?
There are physiological differences between men and women when it comes to the way that they develop addiction and the way that they handle rehabilitation. Women are less likely to develop a drug or alcohol addiction than men; however, when addiction does develop, it often progresses more quickly and causes stronger physiological effects. These physiological differences can be attributed to not only genetic differences but also body weight and body fat percentage. It may also boil down to metabolic differences between genders.
What are the co-occurring disorders of women?
As mentioned above, many women who need addiction treatment struggle with some co-occurring disorders. Often, the co-occurring mental health disorder may have prompted the alcohol and drug abuse in the first place. For example, someone who is struggling with depression may use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. These substances may balance out the neurochemicals in the brain to create a more neutral or positive emotional experience. Many women who struggle with addiction have also dealt with some trauma. This can be anything from childhood trauma, physical trauma, or sexual trauma. Studies show that many women who are addicted to drugs and alcohol may have used substances to cope with traumatic events.
How many women are addicted to drugs?
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, approximately 4.5 million American women have an addiction. An estimated 3.1 million women abuse illicit drugs regularly, and another 3.5 million misuse prescription drugs on almost a daily basis.
What is the number for women's recovery?
For more information about this treatment option, contact Women’s Recovery today at 833.754.0554 .
The need for more attention to how sex and gender influences healthcare
Healthcare has not been immune to the gender gap, but the implications go deeper than one would expect.
Sex? Gender?
A person’s sex is genetically influenced and, based on external genitalia, is usually assigned when born. Gender refers to an individual’s socialisation leading to both identity and expression and has a much broader expanse of possibilities.
Research limitations
Research has been wildly behind in understanding the differences between sex and gender. This is evident even starting at the preclinical phases of clinical trials, which tests drugs on non-human subjects. A review article looked at sex bias in research on mammals in 10 biological fields and found that a male bias was noted in 8 disciplines.
Gender gap amongst physicians
The gender imbalance in healthcare is mostly at the leadership level. Up to 80% of those that provide healthcare are women, but only 3-9% actually make it into leadership positions. This lack of women in leadership may be due to unconscious bias and outdated societal stereotypes and has a negative influence on patient outcomes (Rotenstein 2018).
Education reform
In a survey conducted by the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) between September 2004 and June 2005, students were asked to rank the extent of how certain topics across several disciplines were included in their curriculum and how prepared they were in certain clinical skills.
So where do we go from here?
Research focusing on both human male and female participants has been increasingly emphasised and has improved over the past few decades, especially with pressure from national and international organisations to do so. However, while the sex bias has a relatively easy fix, addressing gender bias has its own sets of limitations.
Key Points
Medical research has long neglected sex and gender as variables, but it can have profound impacts on what we know about treatment plans.
When was gender dysphoria replaced?
The DSM-5, published in 2013, replaced gender identity disorder with gender dysphoria to make clear that the diagnosis pertains to distress and not identity, per se. The World Health Organization has signaled its intention to move transgender identity from its chapter on mental illness to a new one on sexual health.
Which state was the first to prohibit health care plans from discriminating based on gender identity or expression?
2005 -- California becomes the first state to prohibit health care plans from discriminating based on gender identity or expression. Photos: Timeline of transgender health care rights. March 2010 -- The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, becomes law.
What is gender dysphoria?
Gender dysphoria is defined by the distress caused by the discrepancy between a person’s body and their gender identity. The American Psychiatric Association added the term to its diagnostic manual in 2013 to distinguish between the condition of being transgender and symptoms that arise from distress over being transgender.
Why do some people resist the term "transgender"?
Some resist the term altogether because they don’t buy into the idea that gender is binary and that there are only two options: man or woman. And not all people who identify as transgender have gender dysphoria at the level of distress that requires diagnostic treatment. india hayes/cnn. video.
Why is the new diagnosis necessary?
The new diagnosis was intended to clear hurdles to gender-affirming treatment, including surgical procedures. But some contend that it inappropriately pathologizes transgender identity by requiring a mental health diagnosis to access care. Others argue that the diagnosis is essential to ensure access to care.
Why is a diagnosis important?
Others argue that the diagnosis is essential to ensure access to care. For many seeking treatment in the American health care system – especially those without the means to pay out of pocket – it can be the only option available.
When did the Supreme Court rule that discrimination based on sex stereotyping violates the Civil Rights Act
Private insurers follow suit. Photos: Timeline of transgender health care rights. May 1989 -- The Supreme Court rules that discrimination based on "sex stereotyping" -- such as denying a promotion to a woman because she's not feminine enough -- violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 1 of 15.
How does gender bias affect doctors?
Gender bias can lead doctors to: Underestimate or misunderstand a woman’s risk for health problems or complications. Not understand that women may experience symptoms differently than men. Be less willing to engage female patients in shared decision making. Stereotype female patients with unconscious prejudices. Discriminate based on gender.
What percentage of medical research is gender biased?
Men – 18% . Gender bias in medical research. Unfortunately, there are not enough women included in medical research which can limit the understanding of how particular illnesses, and potential treatments, impact women.
What is a stereotype of female patients?
Stereotype female patients with unconscious prejudices. Discriminate based on gender. For instance, some doctors take women’s symptoms less seriously and/or believe women’s symptoms have emotional not physical causes.
Do doctors assume that men and women are similar?
First of all, some doctors assume men and women are physiologically similar or “equal”, but men and women differ in many significant ways. On the other hand, gender bias can also rise from doctors assuming differences that don’t exist!
Does gender bias affect heart disease?
Additional studies show gender bias in the treatment of heart conditions and heart attacks. It’s worth noting that some studies conclude that the female anatomy and physiology increase the risk of heart disease and heart-related deaths.
Can women be treated differently?
Therefore, women can be assessed, diagnosed, referred, and treated differently. Additionally, some medical research only studies men, which can lead to insufficient knowledge regarding the disease process and treatment recommendations for women. Gender bias in medicine impacts the care of female patients.
Is a woman considered a little man?
Although women are not “little men”, for decades, health research focused on men; doctors assumed the results applied to women as well. But women are unique on a cellular level, and therefore can react differently to drugs and other treatments.
Is the CDC relaxed?
The CDC has relaxed some prevention measures, particularly for people who are fully vaccinated, and especially outdoors. Meanwhile, scientists continue to explore treatments and to keep an eye on viral variants. Stay Informed. View Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource Center.
Do older doctors have a harder time dealing with older patients?
She said older doctors tend to have a harder time dealing with these patients.
Do female doctors communicate better?
Female physicians may communicate better, with less medical jargon. Male physicians may be less “deliberate” in addressing complicated patients’ problems (as suggested by past research). I would add a couple of other possibilities: Perhaps female physicians listen more carefully.
Do doctors have to discriminate on the basis of gender?
The harder question is whether health care professionals ought to accommodate their bigotry. Everyone knows that doctors must not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexuality, race, religion or national origin when they select or treat patients: It’s an obligation they accepted when they entered the health care profession.
Can a patient who speaks Spanish ask for a doctor?
It’s perfectly appropriate for a patient who speaks Spanish to ask for a doctor who does, too. It’s a very different thing for patients to reject a doctor because she also speaks Spanish. For health care professionals who work in hospital systems, incidents of patient bias can be wounding.
Can patients discriminate in private care?
The answer is: It depends. In an outpatient setting — in private care, as you note — patients can freely discriminate in choosing whom they want to treat them. That may be unethical as a matter of personal conduct, but we don’t want a system that would try to sift through their motives and correct for invidious ones.
Addiction in Men vs. Women
Gender-Specific Treatment Helps Provide A Sense of Safety
- Although it’s by no means universal, it’s common for people who have addiction issues to have experienced some type of violence or abuse in their past. For various reasons, people often feel safer opening up about these types of experiences in same-gender settings. For example, a woman who’s experienced sexual violence may feel safer speaking about that experience in a se…
Single Gender Treatment Settings Help Minimize Distractions
- Although it’s by no means a settled issue, some research does show that girls and boys learn more effectivelyin single-gender classrooms. The same logic may apply to treatment settings. Women may be more likely to wait to be asked to speak and to speak quietly, while men are more likely to speak loudly and not wait for permission to speak. In mixed-gender settings, these tend…
Gender-Specific Treatment Addresses Body and Self-Esteem Issues
- In addition to physical health, addiction can also affect a person’s physical appearance, and body image and self-esteem issues related to looks can sometimes be a factor in how and why a person develops an addiction in the first place. Ongoing body image and self-esteem issues can be a factor in recovery and contribute to relapses if they’re not addressed. Both men and wome…
Conclusion
- Just as men and women often need different dosagesof medicine, they need different approaches to therapeutic treatments as well. Look for a counselor or therapist who understands the role that gender plays in addiction and approaches therapy with that in mind.
Sex Differences vs. Gender Differences
Men and Women Have Different Treatment Needs
- Research has shown that men and women have varying treatment needs for addiction because drug and alcohol abuse affects each sex differently in a number of ways. 1. Physically – Male and female bodies are different, therefore men process alcohol and drugs differently than women. For example, research has shown that women may be more vulnerable to t...
Benefits of Gender-Specific Treatment
- Just as there are many differences between the way men and women experience addiction, there are also many benefits to providing separate treatment. Although very few studies have compared gender-specific treatment to mixed-gender treatment for addiction, there are several clear ways both men and women may benefit from gender-specific treatment.6
sex? Gender?
Research Limitations
Gender Gap Amongst Physicians
Education Reform
So Where Do We Go from Here?
Key Points
- Medical research has long neglected sex and gender as variables, but it can have profound impacts on what we know about treatment plans.
- Women represent less than 10% of leadership positions in hospitals, but evidence suggests that more women in these positions would increase company satisfaction and profits.
- The drive to change how we include sex and gender in medicine should be implemented in m…
- Medical research has long neglected sex and gender as variables, but it can have profound impacts on what we know about treatment plans.
- Women represent less than 10% of leadership positions in hospitals, but evidence suggests that more women in these positions would increase company satisfaction and profits.
- The drive to change how we include sex and gender in medicine should be implemented in medical schools, so that future physicians have the foundation to examine pathophysiology and treatment option...
