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Medical gaslighting can be deadly

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12min 07sec
COVID-ICU-ROSE-MEDICAL-CENTER-201113
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A room in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at Rose Medical Center is ready for another patient, Denver, Nov. 13, 2020.

Going to the doctor can be anxiety-producing, particularly for women and people of color. They may not be believed and studies show they are more likely to be misdiagnosed. The phenomenon has a new name: medical gaslighting and the consequences can be deadly. Medical sociologist Karen Lutfey, of CU Denver, studies health care decision-making and disparities.