Exploring Medical Gaslighting: Efforts to Enhance Communication and Trust in Healthcare

Medical gaslighting, a phenomenon whereby healthcare providers may unintentionally dismiss or minimize patients’ concerns, is an emerging issue that poses a significant risk to patient safety. It can contribute to delayed diagnoses, mismanagement of care, and the exacerbation of health disparities, particularly among marginalized populations. Physician leaders, who play a key role in shaping institutional culture and advancing quality care, must recognize the impact of medical gaslighting and actively work toward solutions that balance the responsibilities of both physicians and patients. This article explores the connection between medical gaslighting, priming, and patient safety, focusing on unconscious biases, diagnostic errors, and communication barriers in clinical decision-making. The authors examine how priming — when prior experiences shape perceptions and decisions — can inadvertently exacerbate medical gaslighting. Addressing medical gaslighting requires systematic interventions, including educating about implicit bias, promoting patient advocacy, implementing evidence-based diagnostic protocols, and potential applications for artificial intelligence.