In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, one topic gaining increasing attention is medical gaslighting — a term used to describe the experience of having their symptoms dismissed or downplayed. For patients, feeling unheard can be devastating, often leading to delayed diagnoses, worsening health, and deep frustration. But as a staffing company that partners closely with healthcare providers and employers, we also recognize the pressures that frontline clinicians face — from burnout to understaffing to ever-growing caseloads.

At Radius Staffing Solutions, we believe that both patient trust and provider support are essential to quality healthcare, and that addressing this issue requires understanding all sides.

What Is Medical Gaslighting — and Why Is It Rising?

Medical gaslighting often refers to situations where a patient feels their concerns are dismissed — whether intentionally or, more commonly, because a provider is under extreme pressure, lacks resources, or is navigating unclear symptoms in complex cases.

Unfortunately, this can erode trust in the provider-patient relationship. And while patients are right to speak up, providers and employers are often left struggling to balance patient care with operational challenges.

The Impact on Both Patients and Providers

When patients feel unheard:

• They may avoid care altogether, leading to worsening health.

• They may not follow treatment plans, reducing care effectiveness.

But the impact on providers is just as significant:

• Providers face reputational damage and increased patient dissatisfaction.

• Providers experience compassion fatigue and burnout when unable to deliver the level of care they aspire to.

• Employers struggle with high turnover when providers feel unsupported or overburdened.

How Employers and Providers Can Foster Trust and Compassionate Care

To prevent medical gaslighting and rebuild trust, a collaborative approach is key — and staffing plays a crucial role. Here’s how healthcare teams and employers can work toward this goal:

• Hire compassionate, patient-centered providers — Professionals who are equipped and passionate about delivering empathetic care.

• Ensure adequate staffing to avoid burnout — When teams are properly staffed, providers can take the time to truly listen to patients, reducing rushed interactions that lead to frustration.

• Ongoing communication training — Providers benefit from training that reinforces active listening, recognizing unconscious bias, and handling complex conversations with care.

• Create a culture of support — Employers can lead by creating environments where providers feel heard and valued, just like their patients.

How Radius Staffing Solutions Can Help

As a trusted healthcare staffing partner, Radius Staffing Solutions is committed to helping organizations:

• Find the right providers — those who not only meet clinical standards but also align with the mission of compassionate care.

• Build fully staffed teams — reducing the stress that leads to rushed care and poor communication.

• Support retention — by placing professionals who are the right fit, leading to happier, longer-term staff and stronger patient outcomes.

Medical gaslighting is a complex issue — but by working together, providers, employers, and staffing experts can create solutions. By supporting healthcare teams, we make space for better communication, more empathy, and ultimately, better care.

If you’re a healthcare organization looking to build teams that foster trust, compassion, and quality care, connect with a Radius recruiter today. Let’s work together to make a positive impact — for patients and providers alike.