Patient choice: comparing criteria for selecting an obstetrician-gynecologist based on image, gender, and professional attributes.
Publication/Presentation Date
11-1-2007
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare gender, humanistic qualities or technical competence (HQTC), and age when an obstetrician-gynecologist is selected.
STUDY DESIGN: Participants saw photographs (2 women, 2 men) without descriptors then the same photographs with descriptors. To test whether HQTC were more important than gender, the men in the photographs were given HQTC descriptors. Female patients, visitors, and staff at Hartford Hospital along with community and outpatient sites were recruited. Demographic information was collected.
RESULTS: From 901 participants, 83% chose a woman, 59% of whom selected gender or age as the reason. Single and younger patients were more likely to choose female and younger providers, respectively. With descriptors, 62% of the women chose a male provider. A significant number chose a different gender provider (P < .001) and made their selection for a different reason (P < .001).
CONCLUSION: More women chose a female provider when no additional information is known. A significant number changed their selection when male providers were described with HQTC.
Volume
197
Issue
5
First Page
1
Last Page
7
ISSN
1097-6868
Published In/Presented At
Schnatz, P. F., Murphy, J. L., O'Sullivan, D. M., & Sorosky, J. I. (2007). Patient choice: comparing criteria for selecting an obstetrician-gynecologist based on image, gender, and professional attributes. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 197(5), 548.e1–548.e5487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2007.07.025
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
17980206
Department(s)
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Document Type
Article