"I have to fight for them to investigate things": a qualitative exploration of physical and mental healthcare for women diagnosed with mental illness

Tessa Zirnsak; Rosiel Elwyn; Grace McLoughlan; Esther Le Courteur; Chloe R Green; Nicholas Hill; Russell Roberts; Chris Maylea

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1360561

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"I have to fight for them to investigate things": a qualitative exploration of physical and mental healthcare for women diagnosed with mental illness

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

"I have to fight for them to investigate things": a qualitative exploration of physical and mental healthcare for women diagnosed with mental illness

Tessa Zirnsak, Rosiel Elwyn, Grace McLoughlan, Esther Le Courteur, Chloe R Green, Nicholas Hill, Russell Roberts and Chris Maylea

Frontiers in Public Health, Vol.12, pp.1-11

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1360561

Appears in Thompson Institute Research Collection

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Abstract

Women's studies (incl. girls' studies)

Health equity

healthcare

health equity

women's health

physical health

mental illness

iatrogenic harm

healthcare experiences

diagnosis

self-determination

patient-doctor relationship

women

Thompson Institute Special Collection

Other Collaborations

UniSC Diversity Area - Disability and Inclusion

Introduction: Women play a significant role in the management of their own healthcare and that of others, however women diagnosed with mental illness and physical health concerns experience significant health inequalities as compared to people living without mental health concerns. Methods: In this paper, we reflect on the experiences of 20 cis women diagnosed with mental and physical health concerns who agreed to be a part of this research. This qualitative study is part of the larger Healthtalk Australia research project which was not gender specific. Female participants shared many experiences of mental and physical healthcare in interviews with researchers that pointed to the need for a gendered approach to addressing health inequalities. Consequently, we iteratively consolidated transcripts of interviews with participants into thematic categories facilitated by NVIVO 12. Results: We identified two broad themes and a set of subthemes: in the doctor’s office – experience of labelling; negotiating medications; and interactions with physical and mental health, and outside the doctor’s office – responses to trauma, financial concerns, and reliance on participant’s internal resources to get healthcare needs met. Discussion: We conclude that participants in this study undertook significant work to manage their own healthcare needs, despite being challenged by clinicians and systems that failed to see them as whole people with expertise regarding their own health.

Details

Title: "I have to fight for them to investigate things": a qualitative exploration of physical and mental healthcare for women diagnosed with mental illness
Authors: Tessa Zirnsak (Corresponding Author) - La Trobe University
Rosiel Elwyn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson Institute
Grace McLoughlan - La Trobe University
Esther Le Courteur - RMIT University
Chloe R Green - University College Dublin
Nicholas Hill - The University of Melbourne
Russell Roberts - Charles Sturt University
Chris Maylea - La Trobe University
Publication details: Frontiers in Public Health, Vol.12, pp.1-11
Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1360561
ISSN: 2296-2565
Copyright note: © 2024 Zirnsak, Elwyn, McLoughlan, Le Couteur, Green, Hill, Roberts and Maylea. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Data Availability: The datasets presented in this article are not readily available because of the risk of reidentifying participants. Requests to access the datasets should be directed to T.Zirnsak@latrobe.edu.au.
Organisation Unit: Thompson Institute; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991018298602621
Output Type: Journal article

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