Solutions to the medical practice of silencing (17 August 2024)

Summary

Annabel Sowemimo reviews Rageshri Dhairyawan's book Unheard: The Medical Practice of Silencing, describing it as "an honest book that expertly explores how structures, power, and care within medicine leave so many patients voiceless, as well as doctors dissatisfied with their doctor–patient encounters." The book looks at epistemic injustice, a term used to describe how patients' perspectives are ignored and belittled due to a longstanding view that they are unreliable sources of knowledge about their health. The review covers the different themes covered in Unheard including the impact of medical silencing on marginalised and vulnerable groups, how the concept of objectivity is seen in the medical community and patient advocacy.