The Genius Life 529: Are Your Symptoms Being Ignored? What Doctors Overlook and Why | Erin Nance, MD
Nov 26, 2025
Dr. Erin Nance, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and author of *Little Misdiagnosed*, dives into the critical issue of medical misdiagnoses. She explains how societal biases lead to women being misdiagnosed five to six times more than men. Erin shares strategies for patients, like tracking symptoms and engaging with AI tools for better diagnosis. Additionally, she highlights the importance of patient storytelling on social media in improving awareness of rare conditions. Her insights spotlights the need for systemic change in healthcare.
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Trust Your Body And Track Symptoms
- Trust your gut when something feels wrong; persistent symptoms usually mean doctors haven't found the cause yet.
- Track symptoms and seek a curious provider who will investigate rather than dismiss you.
Research Bias Skews Diagnosis
- Medical pattern recognition relies on research-derived symptom profiles, which historically focused on men.
- That bias causes missed diagnoses in women because their symptom presentations often differ.
Find A Coordinating 'North Star' Doctor
- Find a 'North Star' provider who coordinates care, asks questions, and is willing to consult colleagues.
- Avoid being shuffled between specialists without a clinician who synthesizes your case.
