Physicians’ information seeking behavior in patients presenting with heart failure symptoms – Does gender of physician and patient matter?

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine differences in the anamnesis in heart failure patients by patient and physician gender. MethodsA factorial experimental design with video vignettes was applied. While the dialog of an initial encounter because of heart failure symptoms was identical in all videos, patients, played by professional actors, differed in terms of gender (male/female), age (55 years/75 years) and Turkish migration history (no/yes). After viewing the video, 128 physicians (50 % female) were asked if they wanted to ask additional questions (yes/no) and if so, what they wanted to ask (open ended). A coding frame was conducted for the open ended question. ResultsCompared to male physicians, female physicians more often said they wanted to ask additional questions, especially about psychosocial aspects. Physicians, particularly female physicians, wanted to ask male patients more often about lifestyle aspects compared to female patients. ConclusionAlthough the dialog was identical in all videos, some variations in the anamnestic approach regarding physician and patient gender were identified. This is in contrast to current heart failure guidelines that recommend a detailed anamnesis in all patients presenting themselves with heart failure symptoms. Practice ImplicationsPrimary care physicians should reflect how possible gender stereotypes may influence their anamnestic behavior.