[Gender as a variable in patient satisfaction].
BACKGROUND
Whether gender affects patient satisfaction is still debated. This article focuses on methodological issues in analysing gender differences with emphasis on factors like age and educational level.


METHODS
1,469 male and 1,226 female patients returned a questionnaire six weeks after discharge from hospital. Gender differences in satisfaction were examined by multiple regression analysis.


RESULTS
The weak gender difference that occurred in overall satisfaction was due to a significant gender difference between young patients' assessment of the quality of nursing care. For patients over 35, there was no gender difference in satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender differences in patient satisfaction are not straightforward, but vary according to underlying cultural and social factors.
Foss
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Institutt for sykepleievitenskap, Det medisinske fakultet, Postboks 1120 Blindern 0317 Oslo. cfoss@ulrik.uio.no
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010351:Patient Discharge; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires