Is There a Change in Patient Preference for a Female Colonoscopist during the Last Decade in Korea?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients may feel embarrassed during colonoscopy. Our study aimed to assess changes in patient preference, over the past decade, for the sex of their colonoscopist. METHODS: Prospective studies were performed at a single health center from July to September 2008, and from July to September 2016. Subjects included colonoscopy patients (2008: 354, 2016: 304) who were asked to complete a questionnaire before colonoscopy. RESULTS: In 2016, 69 patients (24.9%) expressed a sex preference, compared with 46 patients (14.6%) in 2008. By 2016, female patient preference for a female colonoscopist had significantly increased to 95% (odds ratio [OR], 2.678; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.418– 5.057; P=0.002). In multivariate analysis, patient sex (OR, 4.404; P=0.000), patient age (OR, 0.977; 95% CI, 0.961–0.992; P=0.004), and year of procedure (OR, 1.674; 95% CI, 1.028–2.752) were statistically significant factors in sex preference. Between 2008 and 2016, female patients preferred a female colonoscopist because of embarrassment. Male patients also preferred a male colonoscopist, and the primary reason shifted from expertise to patient embarrassment (2008: 29%, 2016: 63%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients have an increased gender preference for the colonoscopist because of embarrassment. Taking this into account can increase patient satisfaction during colonoscopy.

Patients' Gender Preference for Colonoscopist / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonoscopy is anticipated as embarrassing and uncomfortable procedure. However, the patients' gender preference for doctor has not been well evaluated in those undergoing colonoscopy. This study was to assess patients' preference for gender and age of colonoscopist. METHODS: A total of one hundread and ninety eight patients (118 males and 80 females) scheduled for colonoscopy were prospectively asked to answer the questionnaires consisting of patient characteristics, preference for gender of colonoscopist, and the period they can wait until their preferred colonoscopist would be acceptable. RESULTS: Among male patients, 51% expressed a gender preference (47% for male and 4% for female colonoscopist) and 52% of female expressed two gender preference (26% for male and 26% for female colonoscopist), and colonoscopists in their forties were preferred the most. Aged female patients and male patients with family history of colorectal cancer preferred a male colonoscopist. The strength of gender preference shown by the period they could wait was weak. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the female and male patients showed gender preference in choosing a colonoscopist. Among the patients expressing a gender preference, most male patients preferred the same gender whereas half of female preferred the opposite gender.