Is the ER Taking Your Pain Seriously? What Women Need to Know About Triage with Golda Arthur
Episode Description
If you've ever wanted to know what happens when a female walks into a crowded emergency room with “the worst headache of her life," then this episode is for you.
In this Chin Chats, I’m joined by Golda Arthur, creator and host of the Overlooked podcast, as she shares her real-life ER experience and what it reveals about how women are treated when they’re in pain.
Emergency rooms run on scales, codes, and unspoken language. But what happens when that system doesn’t reflect how women actually experience and communicate pain?
Golda and I break down what it really looks like to advocate for yourself in these moments, why so many women downplay their symptoms, and how communication can directly impact the care you receive.
If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to describe your pain, whether in an ER or a doctor’s office, come join us in this important conversation.
Timestamps:
[00:32] Meet Golda Arthur
[01:05] Walking Into a Crowded ER in Fear
[04:30] ER Triage & the Pain Scale
[06:10] “It Hurt an 11, I Said an 8”
[08:00] Why Women Downplay Pain
[10:10] “Worst Headache” as Medical Code
[16:05] Trust, Fear & the Healthcare Gap
[20:00] Saying No to Treatment & Speaking Up
[22:00] Being a “Difficult Patient”
[29:15] Not Receiving A Diagnosis or Answers
[36:30] Using Google, AI and Claude
[41:07] Preparing and the One Page Health Summary
[46:42] Women Connecting and Being Heard
[57:07] Coming Up Next Week: Describing and Communicating Pain
Resources From This Episode:
Overlooked Podcast from Golda Arthur
Pain and Prejudice by Gabrielle Jackson
The One Page Health Summary download from episode “The One Page That Changes Every Dr. Appointment”
More from The Hairy Chin:
Disclaimer: The Hairy Chin does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical concerns.
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