Allie, a 36-year-old physical therapist, saw a doctor to discuss her desire to get pregnant. The doctor immediately began commenting on Allie’s age and weight, even saying, “You know, everyone likes to have McDonald’s now and then, but you can’t eat it all the time.” Allie, a medical professional herself, was shocked at the doctor’s lack of tact and automatic assumptions about her health. While she wanted to fire back and defend herself against this inappropriate, judgmental, and unempathetic comment, she restrained herself, but carried feelings of humiliation and shame as she left her appointment.

This type of story is all too common. Often, patients are left feeling shamed, judged, and invalidated by providers. This is certainly not to suggest that all doctors lack bedside manner or compassion, but rather, that this is a commonly experienced phenomenon. I myself can relate. Many years ago, when I was in my mid-20s, I went to the emergency room for what turned out to be a panic attack. I was frightened........

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