title: Provider gender preference in obstetrics and gynecology: a military population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates patient reasons and preferences for gender selection of their obstetrician-gynecologist.
  
  
  METHODS
  A written survey was given to patients attending a military obstetrics and gynecology clinic (N = 203). Mean age was 36 years, with 69% of patients between 20 and 40 years. Caucasian (52%) and African American (34%) were the most common races.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 52% of patients preferred a female practitioner, 4% preferred males, and gender did not matter for 44%. Experience and reputation were the most important factors in 93% of all patient provider selections. Only 10% of patients felt that gender was the most important factor, and 35% ranked gender as one of the top two factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although a majority of our study population preferred female obstetrician-gynecologist providers, experience and reputation were more frequently cited than gender as the most important factors in selecting a provider. Patients felt that female physicians understand their problems better.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20762-6600, USA.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Dabbs
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009774:Obstetrics; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010822:Physicians, Women; D010865:Pilot Projects; D044469:Racial Groups; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires