What you should know:
– A new report from Health SoleraA digital health platform, highlights a critical gap in communication regarding women’s health. The report on women’s health, entitled “Human-centered design: A case study in women’s health”, was developed through an extensive research effort.
– Survey of more than 2,300 women across all stages of adult life reveals a strong desire for more open conversations, but also identifies factors that prevent women from discussing their health concerns.
Silence around health issues: a shared desire for openness
- Nearly two-thirds (64%) of women surveyed agreed with the following statement: “I wish women would talk more about their health issues. » This finding highlights a common desire for a more open and supportive environment for discussing women’s health.
Prioritization and practical obstacles
- While 58% of women agree that health is a top priority, a significant number (58%) also admit that they “can just live with” health problems that are tolerable if they are not debilitating.
- Nearly half (46%) of those surveyed admitted that it is difficult to find time to see a doctor when they are not feeling well.
These findings suggest that, despite recognition of the importance of health, practical barriers and a tendency to prioritize other commitments may create barriers to seeking care.
Privacy and preferred language
- The survey found that 59% of women prefer to keep certain health issues to themselves.
- A majority (56%) prefer the term “women’s health” to “gynecological health” (26%) or “reproductive health” (16%).
This highlights the importance of using inclusive and welcoming language in healthcare settings and digital programs that address women’s health needs.
Clinic Visits and Unspoken Concerns
- More than 40% of women feel that doctors rush appointments and do not fully address their concerns. Many women expressed hesitancy to bring up “embarrassing, mild, or sporadic symptoms” during doctor visits.
This suggests that traditional clinics do not always provide women with the space to discuss a wide range of health concerns.
The role of digital health solutions
Solera Health highlights the potential of digital health programs to fill these gaps:
- Accessibility: Digital programs can provide women with convenient and flexible ways to meet their health needs.
- Open communication: Digital platforms can provide women with a safe space where they can explore health-related topics and find information without judgment.
- Empowerment: Digital tools can enable women to track their health, identify and research their symptoms, and make informed decisions about their well-being.
Solera Health’s “Human-Centered Design: A Case Study in Women’s Health” demonstrates how a user-centered approach can inform the development of effective digital health solutions for women.
Moving forward: open communication and tailor-made solutions
The Solera Health survey highlights the need for a multi-pronged approach to improving women’s health:
- Open and honest conversations between women, family, friends and health care providers.
- Digital health solutions that are accessible, informative and meet the unique needs and preferences of women.
- Healthcare environments who are welcoming and give women ample time to discuss their concerns in depth.
“In this report, we asked thousands of women to share more about their experiences receiving care in the traditional health care system,” said Dr. Byron Crowe, chief medical officer of Solera Health. “Their responses clearly show that women face persistent systemic barriers to sharing their health concerns, leaving many issues unaddressed for too long.” Digital health tools and virtual clinics are an important solution.
