Recently, the hashtag #PatientsAreNotFaking has gained traction online following a viral TikTok video featuring a nurse who ridiculed a patient struggling to breathe. In the 15-second clip shared by former Vine star and nurse, Jenna Black, a hyperventilating patient is shown in a hospital room while the nurse dances and swings her stethoscope in a mocking manner to the rhythm of the patient’s labored breaths. The video concludes with the offensive caption, “We know when y’all are faking. insert laughing crying emojis.”
This tone-deaf portrayal of patient suffering has sparked outrage, prompting disability advocate Maria Johnson to create the hashtag #PatientsAreNotFaking in response to the harmful stereotype that some patients “fake” their medical symptoms for personal gain. “That video of the nurse dancing and dismissing patients’ pain has triggered trauma for many within the disabled and BIPOC communities,” Johnson tweeted. “People can die because of such mentalities. You created a video that exposes your incompetence. #PatientsAreNotFaking.”
The reality is that many patients do not receive adequate care due to the biases and emotions of healthcare providers. Such prejudiced attitudes can lead to serious consequences, as symptoms are often dismissed or devalued, particularly when a patient doesn’t exhibit their condition in a way that aligns with a provider’s expectations. This dismissal can be literally deadly.
It’s disheartening that a medical professional’s bias can overshadow a patient’s actual needs. Individuals are genuinely struggling, some experiencing severe pain while being told their discomfort is “all in their head” or that they are simply “seeking drugs.” How did we arrive at this point?
Caring for those who are medically vulnerable and investigating their symptoms is a fundamental part of a physician’s Hippocratic Oath. It is their job. The unfortunate reality is that many individuals, especially women and people of color, have faced negligence and dismissal in medical settings. This has prompted many to share their experiences on social media, highlighting the systemic issues embedded within healthcare.
The medical environment is often daunting, and patients should not feel as though they are wasting a provider’s time by seeking help for legitimate health concerns. Who would want to pretend to be ill? Patients often doubt their own symptoms, and the added disbelief from healthcare professionals only exacerbates their struggles. If we cannot trust those tasked with our care, where do we turn for support?
We are being penalized for conditions we do not choose, and for seeking help that we desperately need. It is clear that patients are not faking, and judging by the response on social media, few will be eager to have Jenna Black as their nurse anytime soon.
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In summary, the viral video has highlighted a critical issue within healthcare: the dismissal of patients’ suffering due to biases among providers. This has led to a growing movement on social media to advocate for patient recognition and empathy.