Long COVID patients face 'medical gaslighting'
Long COVID patients turn to wearables and online communities amid medical dismissal.
Why it matters
- Long COVID patients often face dismissal or misattribution of symptoms.
- Patients use digital tools to advocate for themselves.
By the numbers
- Most participants are highly educated and professionally employed.
- Over half were unable to work due to illness.
The big picture
- Patients rely on wearable data and online communities for support.
- Medical culture needs to shift to better support patients.
What they're saying
- Medical gaslighting affects other conditions like menopause.
- Long COVID research could benefit other chronic illnesses.
- Doctors need to adapt and learn rather than dismiss patients.
Caveats
- Study highlights the need for a shift in medical culture.
- Not all patients have resources for self-tracking technologies.
What’s next
- More research and recognition of Long COVID.
- Potential improvements in medical culture to support patients better.