Ep 96. Advocating for Your Health Susan Salenger Call to Action in her book Sidelined

Send us a textHave you ever felt sidelined in your own healthcare journey? Susan Salenger, the acclaimed author of "Sidelined: How Women Can Navigate a Broken Healthcare System," joins us to shine a light on the intricate challenges women face in the medical world. Through her compelling stories and the candid revelations from her research, Susan guides us through the maze of decisions that can either empower or hinder our health. We kick off the conversation by diving into the powerful personal narratives that shaped her book, including a cautionary tale about an unnecessary surgery, reminding us of the importance of self-advocacy and informed decision-making. We"ve all had that moment of hesitation at the doctor"s office, wondering if we should voice our concerns or just tough it out. In today"s heart-to-heart, we confront this very hesitation and the alarming trend of women deprioritizing their health. Susan urges us to break free from the silence and shame surrounding our medical discussions, exploring the critical role of clear communication and why having a health advocate can be a game-changer. We also tackle the complexity of seeking second opinions without fear of offending our doctors, and share how a list of symptoms can be your strongest ally in a consultation. Wrapping up, we explore the nuanced dynamics between female patients and their doctors, pondering whether gender plays a role in the quality of our healthcare. Susan imparts her wisdom on the importance of finding a medical professional whose practice style aligns with our needs, and she candidly shares how her journey as an author has emboldened her to own her health narrative. This episode doesn"t just shed light on the issues – it hands you the tools to carve out your path to better health, underscored by Susan"s infectious energy and the empowering message that taking control of your healthcare is not just necessary, it"s your right. Obsessions: Tish: Ellen: Support the show and be a Patron! Website: www.thepositivelymidlifepodcast.com Email: ellen@positivelymidlifepodcast.com  By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, including but not limited to patients that you are treating . Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. The  Positively Midlife Podcast is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only.   Not a single word is meant to be construed as legal, financial, tax or any other kind of advice.  Consult your own financial professionals.  Support the show Website: www.thepositivelymidlifepodcast.com Email: postivelymidlifepod@gmail.com Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45 A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show Website: www.thepositivelymidlifepodcast.com Email: postivelymidlifepod@gmail.com