AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study sought to describe how women in Mexico who have suffered from gender-based violence experience their encounters with healthcare professionals.

BACKGROUND: Gender-based violence is a worldwide problem. Previous studies have described that women feel they are not being cared for appropriately during their encounters with healthcare professionals. This study was conducted in Mexico, which has a high rate of gender inequality.

DESIGN: A descriptive, qualitative study was conducted.

METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with seven women. An inductive content analysis was used to analyse the interviews.

RESULTS: The analyses resulted in four categories: Feelings of guilt about being abused, Feelings of being unimportant, Feelings of taking time and Feelings of being insecure/secure. The women emphasised the importance of healthcare professionals taking time out of their busy schedules for them. When they treated the women with respect and genuine interest, the women felt secure. When the healthcare professionals did not meet these expectations, feelings of frustration and mistrust were elicited.

CONCLUSIONS: Feelings of being listened to and safety were considered important aspects in a positive encounter, whereas feeling a lack of time or interest often led to negative experiences such as frustration with and distrust of the healthcare system. These results imply that healthcare professionals may have deficiencies with regard to how these women are treated because these women do not feel that they receive the proper support.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Education regarding how to approach women who have suffered from gender-based violence is essential for healthcare professionals to establish respectful encounters. The findings of this study stress that relatively simple efforts such as listening to these women's stories and providing them with genuine attention might substantially improve care.