Positive healthcare experiences don’t tell the full story
Our survey of more than 2,000 Canadians reveals that while most people continue to report positive healthcare experiences, many women face additional challenges navigating their care.
The study explores what happens before, during and after appointments, uncovering the hidden work many women undertake to coordinate, communicate and advocate for their health.
Of women say there are health topics they find difficult to raise with their doctor
0
%
Of women report living with a chronic condition, either currently or in the past
The gender divide is largest among Gen Z Canadians
Young women report the greatest divergence from their male peers of any generation studied
The gap between Gen Z women and men is more than twice the size of the gap among Millennials (13% vs. 5%)
While 95% of Gen Z men expect a positive outcome from a doctor’s visit, only 82% of Gen Z women say the same
The difference is even greater when it comes to feeling supported by a family doctor (82% of Gen Z men versus 66% of Gen Z women)
Feeling supported influences communication and confidence
Positive experiences begin with support
Canadians who feel supported by their doctor are significantly more likely to anticipate a positive doctor visit (98%) than those who feel unsupported (25%).
Communication improves with support
While 66% of Canadians overall say they describe their symptoms accurately, this falls to 48% among those who feel unsupported by their doctor.
Feeling heard matters
Placating or dismissive language leaves 53% of Canadians feeling upset rather than reassured, highlighting the importance of supportive healthcare interactions.
42% of women who feel they need to prove themselves emphasize how their symptoms affect their daily life to help communicate the impact of their concerns
30% repeatedly describe or justify their symptoms, suggesting many women feel they need to reinforce their concerns during appointments
29% research medical information before appointments to help support conversations with their healthcare provider
24% return for multiple visits about the same concern, while 21% bring notes, timelines or written documentation to appointments
Why women hold back health concerns
81% of Gen Z women say there are health topics they find difficult to raise with their doctor, compared with 46% of Boomer women
Fear of dismissal (30%) and fear of judgement (29%) are the leading reasons Gen Z women hold back health concerns
Embarrassment becomes the leading barrier for older generations, affecting 29% of Millennial women, 27% of Gen X women and 35% of Boomer women
Women with chronic conditions are carrying more of the burden of care
Many women report repeatedly coordinating and reconnecting their healthcare experiences across providers
71% repeated their full health history more than once in the past year, averaging three complete retellings annually
92% of Gen Z women living with chronic conditions repeated their health history multiple times over the past year
Women with chronic conditions report repeatedly restating symptoms, reconstructing timelines, and reconnecting fragmented care experiences across providers
53% of women report living with a chronic condition, either currently or in the past
We’re here to help
Women’s health needs evolve across every stage of life. That’s why Blue Cross® is committed to supporting more accessible, personalized, and preventative health benefits, resources, and coverage.
By better understanding women’s healthcare experiences, we can help foster more informed conversations about women’s health.