Patients' preferences regarding physicians' gender: a clinical center cross-sectional study
São Paulo med. j
;
140(1): 134-143, Jan.-Feb. 2022. tab, graf
Artículo
en Inglés
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-1357457
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Even with the significant growth of female representation within medicine, inequality and prejudice against this group persist. OBJECTIVE: To analyze patients' preferences regarding the gender of physicians in general and according to different specialties, and the possible reasons behind their choice. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at the Clinical Center of the University of Caxias do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: Over a three-month period in 2020, 1,016 patients were asked to complete a paper-based 11-item questionnaire. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSIONS: 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.
Texto completo:
Disponible
Índice:
LILACS (Américas)
Asunto principal:
Médicos
/
Medicina
Tipo de estudio:
Estudio observacional
/
Estudio de prevalencia
/
Factores de riesgo
Límite:
Femenino
/
Humanos
/
Masculino
Idioma:
Inglés
Revista:
São Paulo med. j
Asunto de la revista:
Cirurgia Geral
/
Cincia
/
Ginecologia
/
Medicina
/
Medicina Interna
/
Obstetr¡cia
/
Pediatria
/
Sa£de Mental
/
Sa£de P£blica
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Artículo
País de afiliación:
Brasil
Institución/País de afiliación:
Universidade de Caxias do Sul/BR
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