Medical gaslighting as a threat to beneficence and patient autonomy: a qualitative study

Medical gaslighting appears to be a common and impactful experience that contributes to psychological distress and reduces trust in the medical system, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare institutions must prioritize training on implicit bias, communication skills, and patient-centered care to mitigate these harmful interactions. Future research should further explore structural contributors and develop interventions to foster more validating clinical environments. We propose some practical implications for eradicating medical gaslighting based on our findings.