Medical gaslighting is officially America’s top patient safety threat, with 94% of patients reporting their symptoms have been dismissed by healthcare professionals.
Key Insights
- Medical gaslighting has been identified as the number one patient safety risk for 2025 by ECRI, affecting millions of Americans annually
- Over 94% of patients report having their symptoms ignored or dismissed by medical professionals, with women and minorities disproportionately affected
- The issue is largely systemic rather than intentional, with 40% of physicians experiencing burnout and facing time constraints that contribute to patient dismissal
- ECRI recommends system-wide changes including adjusted scheduling policies and training in empathetic listening techniques
America’s Top Patient Safety Threat
Medical gaslighting has emerged as the number one patient safety concern for 2025, according to ECRI, the nation’s leading patient safety organization. This alarming designation highlights a pervasive problem in American healthcare where patients’ symptoms and concerns are routinely dismissed or minimized by medical professionals. The data behind this designation is troubling, with surveys indicating that over 94% of patients have experienced having their symptoms ignored or dismissed by doctors. This problem has serious consequences, with misdiagnosis affecting approximately 12 million Americans annually and contributing significantly to preventable patient deaths.
“Most clinicians have a deep commitment to healing and protecting their patients and would never intentionally make a patient feel unheard, but it nevertheless happens with alarming frequency,” said Marcus Schabacker, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer of ECRI.
Vulnerable Groups Face Greater Risks
President Trump’s administration has consistently advocated for fair treatment of all Americans in the healthcare system, a goal undermined by evidence showing certain groups face greater medical dismissal. Women are particularly vulnerable, with approximately 71% reporting that healthcare providers attributed their symptoms to psychological causes or told them their symptoms were “imagined” or stress-related. This pattern of dismissal often leads to delayed diagnoses of serious conditions. Minorities also face significant barriers, with studies showing black patients are less likely to receive adequate pain medication compared to white patients with identical symptoms and conditions.
The elderly and those with chronic conditions represent other vulnerable groups routinely subject to medical gaslighting. When symptoms are complex or don’t fit textbook presentations, they’re more likely to be dismissed as age-related complaints or psychosomatic issues. This systematic dismissal results in poorer health outcomes and erodes trust in our healthcare institutions. These disparities align with ongoing concerns about equity in healthcare that conservative values of fairness and equal treatment seek to address.
System Failures, Not Malicious Intent
Experts emphasize that medical gaslighting typically stems from systemic pressures rather than intentional misconduct. Over 40% of physicians report experiencing burnout, leading to emotional exhaustion and reduced capacity for empathy. The average primary care visit lasts just 18 minutes, forcing doctors to make rapid decisions with limited information. These constraints, combined with administrative burdens that can consume up to 60% of a physician’s workday, create an environment where patient concerns may be unintentionally minimized or overlooked.
“Patient safety events are not isolated incidents. They are often products of the system that clinicians and patients operate within, and how that system supports the people it serves,” said Shannon Davila, MSN, RN, CPPS, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC, executive director of total systems safety at ECRI.
Solutions Require Systemic Approach
ECRI advocates for systems-based solutions rather than blaming individual providers. Their recommendations include adjusting scheduling policies to allow adequate time for patient-provider communication, implementing empathetic listening techniques, and creating formal systems for patients to document their concerns before appointments. Healthcare organizations are also encouraged to develop specific protocols for following up with patients whose conditions don’t improve after initial treatment, ensuring that persistent symptoms aren’t dismissed as unimportant.
While recent improvements in patient safety have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, “medical gaslighting” and insufficient AI governance are among top patient safety concerns in 2025. Learn more in this week’s Chartis Top Reads: https://t.co/ACMo4QnThZ pic.twitter.com/bkAw6AAxIr
— Chartis (@TheChartisGroup) March 28, 2025
For patients, experts suggest preparing notes before appointments, prioritizing health issues by importance, bringing an advocate to appointments when possible, and seeking second opinions when concerns aren’t addressed. Healthcare providers are advised to allow patients to fully explain their symptoms before interrupting, validate patient experiences even when diagnoses aren’t immediately clear, and avoid dismissive language. These strategies align with conservative values of personal responsibility and accountability in healthcare interactions.
“Providing high-quality healthcare starts with truly listening to patients. When we value their input, we gain critical insights that improve patient outcomes and build trust. A healthcare system that prioritizes patient voices is one that delivers safer, more efficient, and more compassionate care for all. Unfortunately, too many clinicians are operating under time and resource constraints that fuel substandard care,” said Marcus Schabacker, MD, PhD, president and chief executive officer of ECRI.
Other Critical Patient Safety Concerns
While medical gaslighting tops the list, ECRI identified other significant patient safety threats for 2025. These include insufficient governance of artificial intelligence in healthcare, with only 16% of surveyed hospitals having governance policies for AI implementation. The spread of medical misinformation and cybersecurity breaches also rank high on the list, both potentially leading to serious patient harm. Additionally, concerns about substandard medications, diagnostic errors, healthcare-associated infections, and poor discharge communication remain critical areas requiring attention from healthcare leadership.
