Abstract
Even with the significant growth of female representation within medicine, inequality and prejudice against this group persist. To analyze patients' preferences regarding the gender of physicians in general and according to different specialties, and the possible reasons behind their choice. Cross-sectional study at the Clinical Center of the University of Caxias do Sul, Brazil. Over a three-month period in 2020, 1,016 patients were asked to complete a paper-based 11-item questionnaire. The majority (81.7%; n = 830) of the patients did not have a preference regarding the gender of physicians in general. The preference rate for same-gender physicians was 14.0% (n = 142/1,016), and this preference was more common among female than among male patients (17.6% versus 7.0%; odds ratio, OR = 2.85; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.80-4.52; P < 0.001). When asked about their preference for the gender of the specialist who they were waiting to see, the overall preference rate for a same-gender professional was 17.2% (n = 175). Preference for same-gender specialists was higher for specialties essentially based on pelvic or breast examination (i.e. gynecology, urology, proctology and mastology), compared with others (33.4% versus 9.7%; OR = 4.69; 95% CI = 3.33-6.61; P < 0.001). The patients' model for choice of their physician does not seem to involve physicians' gender in general or in the majority of medical specialties. The data presented in this study may make it easier to understand patients' preferences and concerns.
Highlights
Gender disparity is defined as a social phenomenon in which discrimination against others occurs due to their gender.[1]
The rate of preference for same-gender physicians was 14.0% (n = 142/1,016), and this preference was more common among female patients than among male patients (17.6% versus 7.0%; AOR = 2.56; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.60-4.10; P < 0.001) (Table 3)
We found that 41.5 % of female patients who came for consultations within gynecology had a same-gender preference, followed by proctology with 38.9% and mastology, 22.2%
Summary
Gender disparity is defined as a social phenomenon in which discrimination against others occurs due to their gender (male or female).[1]. OBJECTIVE: To analyze patients’ preferences regarding the gender of physicians in general and according to different specialties, and the possible reasons behind their choice. The preference rate for same-gender physicians was 14.0% (n = 142/1,016), and this preference was more common among female than among male patients (17.6% versus 7.0%; odds ratio, OR = 2.85; 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.80-4.52; P < 0.001). When asked about their preference for the gender of the specialist who they were waiting to see, the overall preference rate for a same-gender professional was 17.2% (n = 175). The data presented in this study may make it easier to understand patients’ preferences and concerns
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