Study exposes barriers that deter women from seeking care
A new study describes how bad experiences, shame and waiting times can lead people to delay seeking care.
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Women and LGBTQ+ people regularly cite previous negative experiences with healthcare providers as a reason for delaying care or seeking it again elsewhere, according to research published on Monday. The study primarily shows which barriers people experience; it does not provide a nationwide estimate of how many women avoid care.
The study by Rutgers, WOMEN Inc. and COC Nederland combines a literature review, a questionnaire completed by 882 respondents and seventeen in-depth interviews. The researchers examined care avoidance and seeking care again among women and LGBTQ+ people.
Respondents described situations in which they felt unheard, not taken seriously or misunderstood. Among women, the report says, symptoms were sometimes attributed to stress, emotions or hormones. LGBTQ+ people more often pointed to discrimination or insufficient knowledge about sexual and gender diversity.
Shame, stigma and financial or practical barriers also play a role, according to the study. People who know how the healthcare system works, receive support from those around them and have enough money find suitable help more easily, the research suggests.
The researchers also identify problems within the system. Long waiting times and complicated care pathways are cited, for example, in transgender healthcare and mental healthcare. The report describes how people sometimes turn to online information, peer support or other forms of assistance when mainstream care does not meet their needs sufficiently.
The study does not establish how many women in the Netherlands currently avoid care. The questionnaire does show that previous care avoidance was reported relatively often by cisgender women and non-heterosexual respondents, but the researchers warn that the participants do not constitute a representative sample of the population as a whole.
The publication appeared on the day that two reports on women's health were launched at ZonMw in The Hague. One is a consultation study by KiesKompas; the other concerns an analysis by Stichting Voices for Women of reports and experiences from women with long-term unexplained symptoms.
The results are consistent with the National Work Agenda for Women's Health that the government presented in June. Among other things, the agenda focuses on recognising symptoms more effectively, increasing knowledge in education and guidelines, and improving cooperation between medical, psychological and social disciplines.
The study is a research report, not a clinical guideline. For individual symptoms, the report says nothing about diagnosis or treatment; its main significance lies in the experiences described and the policy question of how care can be made more accessible and more person-centred.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The study includes 882 questionnaire respondents and seventeen interviews.
- Respondents mention feeling unheard, stigma, shame and barriers within the system.
- The study does not measure the current nationwide prevalence of care avoidance.
- Since June, the government has been working with a National Work Agenda for Women's Health.
Left
Arguments According to this perspective, the main cause lies in structural inequality, gaps in knowledge and a healthcare system that too often operates around the standard patient. Investment in training, accessible care and public capacity is needed to prevent individual responsibility from becoming the central focus.
Values Equality, inclusion and collective responsibility.
Consequences Greater public investment and adapted guidelines could lower barriers, but would require long-term funding and organisational changes.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach combines better training for healthcare professionals with measurable quality standards, patient participation and research into what actually works. Not every negative experience in itself proves unequal treatment, but patterns should still be investigated systematically.
Values Carefulness, evidence and feasibility.
Consequences A phased approach can increase trust without promising quick solutions, but improvement may consequently become visible only slowly.
Right
Arguments From this perspective, the emphasis should be on the responsibility of care providers, clear professional standards and more efficient routes to diagnosis. Healthcare professionals must assess symptoms seriously, but policy should prevent every outcome from being interpreted as discrimination.
Values Responsibility, professional discretion and efficiency.
Consequences Stricter standards can raise quality, but excessive administrative or legal pressure can reduce the scope for tailored care.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The research design, findings and limitations were checked directly against the report and publication page. The text avoids making a nationwide prevalence claim and gives no individual medical advice.
- confirmed The study combines a literature review, a questionnaire completed by 882 respondents and seventeen interviews. — This is stated in the report's summary. source
- confirmed Previous negative healthcare experiences are regularly cited as a reason for delaying care. — The researchers describe this in the summary and results. source
- confirmed Long waiting times and complicated care pathways are mentioned as barriers within the system. — Rutgers explicitly identifies these factors. source
- confirmed The study does not provide a nationwide estimate of current care avoidance. — The report states that no conclusions can be drawn on this matter. source
- confirmed On 12 October, two reports on women's health were launched at ZonMw. — ZonMw mentions the event and the two reports. source
- confirmed The National Work Agenda focuses, among other things, on recognising symptoms, developing knowledge and cooperation. — This is stated on the Dutch government's website. source
Editor's note
The report was published today and combines a literature review, a questionnaire and interviews. It is not a peer-reviewed clinical study and does not measure the nationwide prevalence of care avoidance.Sources
- Van zorgmijding naar passende zorg (2026) — Rutgers, WOMEN Inc. en COC Nederland
- Rapport Van zorgmijding naar passende zorg — Rutgers
- Vrouwengezondheid: inzicht in de ervaringen en behoeften van vrouwen en meiden — ZonMw
- De Nationale Werkagenda Vrouwengezondheid — Rijksoverheid