There has been an increased recognition that gender issues should be incorporated into clinical research and practice, namely in the understanding of clinical diagnosis, treatment effectiveness and help-seeking. Despite some progress, gender bias against women or the “gender health gap” is still common within clinical practice, and describes the differential treatment women experience in seeking healthcare, when compared to men. It reduces the speed, accuracy and effectiveness of diagnosis and negatively impacts the quality of treatment people receive.

This Research Topic aims to bring together a diverse range of articles that examine the issue of gender in clinical psychology, and specifically gender bias/gender health gap that persist within clinical settings and their impact on the diagnosis and treatment of women’s mental and physical health conditions. We are also interested in how gender bias can affect the wellbeing and outcomes of women seeking clinical support.

Themes of interest include (but are not limited to):
• Understanding how gender can place women more vulnerable to the development, maintenance and lack of treatment of certain clinical conditions
• Understanding how structural gender inequalities may place women at higher risk for some clinical conditions.
• Systemic biases that influence the diagnostic process, for example how gender stereotypes, cultural expectations, and healthcare provider biases can shape the identification and understanding of women's health concerns and/or their pathologization.
• Challenges faced by women, including the underdiagnosis, overdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, or delayed diagnosis of certain conditions, and how these biases may contribute to disparities in access to appropriate care.
• Gender bias on treatment decisions and interventions for women. Examining how gendered assumptions, societal expectations, and historical biases can influence treatment approaches, medication choices, and therapeutic interventions.
• Evidence-based strategies and interventions that can mitigate bias and promote more equitable care for women. For example, cultural sensitivity training, gender-aware assessment tools, and patient-centred approaches that enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve treatment outcomes, and foster trust and collaboration between women and their healthcare providers.
• Gender bias among health professionals. For example, examine mental health professionals’ perceptions about gender characteristics and differences and how they may influence clinical judgement and perceptions.

By bringing together the latest research and perspectives from experts in the field, we hope this collection will serve as a valuable resource for psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers seeking to understand and address gender bias in diagnosis and treatment for women. It aims to inspire critical reflection, dialogue, and transformative change within clinical settings, ultimately fostering a healthcare environment that is more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the unique needs of women.

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Frontiers in Psychology

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