Putting Patients First: The Importance of Listening to Their Experiences in Healthcare

A study led by the University of Cambridge and King's College London found that patients' experiences and self-assessments are often undervalued by clinicians when making diagnostic decisions. The research highlighted biases related to ethnicity and gender, with women more likely to be told their symptoms were psychosomatic. The study called for a shift away from the "doctor knows best attitude" and emphasized the importance of listening to and valuing patients' insights. While some clinicians highly valued patient opinions, fewer than 4% ranked patients' self-assessments as important evidence. The inclusion of patient insights could lead to improved diagnostic accuracy, fewer misdiagnoses, and greater patient satisfaction.