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[Sushan]

This topic is about the August 2023 Philosophy Book of the Month, First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough by Mark Unger

Many doctors, she found, did not speak to mothers. The secretaries and assistants to doctors, she observed, “didn’t take mothers seriously, didn’t give as much weight to the mother’s concerns.” She would make a call, be put on hold for twenty minutes and then sometimes be transferred to an intern or some medical student. The fact that mothers are most often the primary care-givers didn’t resonate with doctors. Mary Ellen discovered early that if she needed information her best chance of acquiring it quickly was through me.

(Location 866 – Kindle Version)

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This passage strikes a chord with a recurrent, troubling theme: women, particularly mothers, often find themselves dismissed or overlooked in the context of healthcare, despite being primary caregivers and advocates for their family members. This pervasive issue raises essential ethical and philosophical questions.

Consider the allegory of the cave, as articulated by Plato. This allegory suggests that most people live confined to a "cave" of ignorance and superficial understanding, unaware of the fuller, truer reality that exists outside of it. In this context, could the dismissal of women's voices in healthcare be seen as a symptom of societal structures that still, to some extent, reside in Plato’s metaphorical "cave" of ignorance, failing to engage with the lived experiences and insights of half the population? Plato’s philosopher, who escapes the cave and sees the light of reality, is analogous to the women who are struggling to have their concerns validated – they perceive a truth that is not acknowledged by the broader system.

This situation is not merely a modern dilemma; it mirrors the ancient struggles women faced in asserting their autonomy and expertise in predominantly male spheres. In ancient Greece, women were often relegated to private spaces and excluded from public discourse—a stark contrast to their crucial roles within the family and household. This historical context sharpens the question of whether contemporary healthcare systems, in some respects, continue to echo these ancient societal structures.

Are the dismissed voices of women in healthcare a modern echo of Plato's cave, where women's true insights are the 'outside world' that the healthcare 'cave' remains blind to? How might we philosophically navigate this persistent silence?

[Kajori Sheryl Paul]

I agree that this modern dilemma has its roots in ancient times. No matter, how much we have progressed, women are still dismissed, their opinions are still unheard. I believe that this silence can be navigated by speaking louder, by giving voice to our concerns, and by having both men and women speak as equals.

[Kirsi_78]

I must say that I have experienced this myself more than once. Mothers have an instinct, especially with issues concerning their children, and it is a wise doctor who does not ignore this. I have been overlooked, silenced, etc; just to later find out that my instinct was exactly right. More than once. It would have saved a whole lot of trouble and money if my thoughts and concerns had been heard right at the beginning.

[Sushan]

I agree that this modern dilemma has its roots in ancient times. No matter, how much we have progressed, women are still dismissed, their opinions are still unheard. I believe that this silence can be navigated by speaking louder, by giving voice to our concerns, and by having both men and women speak as equals.

Thank you for sharing your perspective, and I absolutely agree that the echoes of historical gender dynamics are still clearly present in various sectors of our society, including healthcare. Speaking louder and advocating persistently, as you suggest, is indeed a powerful way to initiate change. It's interesting to consider how this aligns with the philosopher’s journey in Plato’s allegory, where enlightenment comes with responsibilities—specifically, the responsibility to return to the cave and educate others. In our modern context, this could be analogous to enlightened individuals (both men and women who recognize this issue) taking on the responsibility of raising awareness, educating others, and advocating for systemic change.

Moreover, do you think this sort of advocacy should extend beyond individuals to institutions? For example, could healthcare training programs incorporate education about these biases and the historical context behind them, thereby preparing future healthcare professionals to better recognize and counteract these tendencies in their own practice? This might allow the 'light of the outside world' to penetrate the 'cave' more effectively, sparking a shift in the underlying culture of the healthcare system itself. What are your thoughts on this approach?

[Sushan]

I must say that I have experienced this myself more than once. Mothers have an instinct, especially with issues concerning their children, and it is a wise doctor who does not ignore this. I have been overlooked, silenced, etc; just to later find out that my instinct was exactly right. More than once. It would have saved a whole lot of trouble and money if my thoughts and concerns had been heard right at the beginning.

I appreciate your sharing your personal experiences, and I'm sorry to hear that you have felt overlooked and silenced. Your experiences add a deeply personal and powerful layer to this discussion. It seems almost paradoxical, doesn't it? Mothers, who are often the closest and most attentive caregivers to their children, are sometimes the least heard in spaces where their insights could be most valuable.

Your experiences seem to be a contemporary echo of the tension I noted between the 'cave' of certain societal structures and the 'outside world' of deeper, often dismissed knowledge. It’s as if mothers, akin to Plato’s philosopher, often see aspects of their children’s health that medical professionals—due to various biases or systemic issues—may not immediately perceive.

Your point about the wisdom of doctors who listen is so crucial. It suggests a potential path towards a more enlightened healthcare system—one where healthcare professionals are trained not just in medical science, but also in listening and in valuing the deep knowledge that caregivers, particularly mothers, can bring to the table. This could be akin to guiding the healthcare system itself out of Plato's 'cave,' into a richer, fuller understanding of patient care that includes and values the insights of mothers and other primary caregivers.

What do you think could be some practical steps toward fostering this kind of deeper listening within the healthcare system? Do you think it's a matter of changing the education that healthcare professionals receive, or is it more about changing the broader culture of medicine? Or perhaps a bit of both?