I've always wanted to write a book. I just never knew what I would write about.
I had ideas over the years, but nothing that really felt like the thing I needed to say. So, like many things in my life, I decided to trust the process and see where it led.
And Listen to Her is what came out of it.
Looking back, I suppose it makes sense. I've spent years listening to women share their experiences with healthcare—stories of feeling dismissed, misunderstood, or simply not heard. And somewhere along the way, I realized I had my own story to tell.
Not just as a physician, but as a patient.
I've experienced what it's like to sit on the other side of the exam room, trying to explain symptoms that don't make sense, searching for answers, and wondering whether the person across from me is really listening.
Those experiences have shaped the way I practice medicine, the relationships I build with my patients, and ultimately, the message behind this book.
There's More to the Story
One thing I want to make clear is that Listen to Her isn't a book about bad doctors.
I know how hard physicians work. I know what it's like to sit across from a patient who is struggling and not have an answer. I've been there many times. Medicine is complicated. Symptoms don't always fit neatly into a diagnosis, tests aren't perfect, and sometimes we simply don't know what's going on.
But there's a difference between not knowing what's wrong and making someone feel like nothing is wrong. That's the part I want us to talk about.
I don't believe physicians have to have all the answers. I certainly don't. But I do believe we have a responsibility to listen, remain curious, and be honest with our patients about what we know and what we don't.
And I believe patients deserve to be part of that conversation.
Why This Matters to Me
My experiences as a patient didn't just inspire this book. They reinforced something I've come to believe very strongly about healthcare: relationships matter.
It's one of the reasons I practice Direct Primary Care.
When I have time to get to know my patients, to understand their histories, and to follow up on concerns that don't have easy answers, I can practice medicine in a way that feels more aligned with why I became a physician in the first place.
That doesn't mean I won't miss something. It doesn't mean every patient will leave with a diagnosis or that every problem can be solved.
But it does mean we can have an honest conversation. We can acknowledge uncertain
This Book Is for More Than Patients
I wrote Listen to Her for any woman who has ever walked away from a medical appointment feeling unheard, confused, or unsure of themselves.
But I also wrote it for the people who love them, and for my colleagues in healthcare.
I want women to feel more confident asking questions and participating in decisions about their health. I want physicians to recognize how easily a patient can feel dismissed, even when that was never our intention. And I want us all to think about how we can make those interactions better.
Because I don't believe the solution is to teach patients to distrust their physicians.
I believe we need to rebuild trust.
That requires effort on both sides, but it starts with being willing to listen.
Let's Keep the Conversation Going
Listen to Her is officially available, and I'm grateful to finally be able to share it.
My hope is that this book starts conversations. Between patients and physicians. Between women and the people who care about them. And among healthcare professionals who, like me, believe we can continue to do better.
I've also created a Listen to Her community where I plan to share resources to help women prepare for appointments, ask better questions, and advocate for themselves.
If this is a topic that resonates with you, I'd love for you to join us.
Learn more about the book and join the community
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Dr. Angela Andrews
