In this podcast episode, we welcome Susan Salenger, the inspiring author of “SIDELINED: How Women Can Navigate A Broken Healthcare System.” At 80 years old, standing at 4’10”, Susan is an accomplished author and an avid powerlifter. She is a testament to her belief in personal strength and resilience. Susan shares her journey from working in Salenger Films, a company specializing in corporate training films, to becoming a voice for women struggling within a healthcare system that often fails them. In this episode, we discuss how women can control their health in a broken healthcare system that seems to let them down.
Take Control in a Broken Healthcare System
Susan’s transition into authorship was spurred by a pivotal experience—a surgery she underwent that was later revealed to be unnecessary. This incident led her to explore women’s paradoxical relationship with their healthcare: They are often proactive yet find themselves sidelined by the system. Her book dives into the internal conflicts and societal pressures that lead women to mismanage their health, prioritizing others’ needs over their own.
“SIDELINED” is based on extensive research and interviews with diverse women chosen carefully to represent various experiences within the healthcare system. Susan discusses the women’s hesitation and concerns in sharing their medical journeys. She also touches on the cultural history and gender biases that pervade the medical field. Which is influencing how women’s health issues are perceived and treated.
A central theme of Susan’s research is the six instinctive behaviors women exhibit that complicate their medical diagnosis and treatment. These include reluctance to question doctors, non-compliance with medical advice, and the tendency to downplay their symptoms. Susan emphasizes the importance of second opinions and proactive healthcare management. She offers actionable steps for women to navigate a healthcare system that often overlooks their needs.
Susan’s story is not just about challenges; it’s about empowerment. By sharing her insights, she aims to equip women with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their health. Her message is clear: understanding and challenging the status quo is crucial for transforming how women interact with healthcare providers and, ultimately, for improving their medical outcomes.
Please reach out to me at heike@heikeyates.com, and type “sidelined” into the subject line. Let us know how this episode resonated with you.
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Links mentioned in the show:
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