Patient choice of provider gender.
As the proportion of women physicians in the United States increases, patients have increased access to physicians of either sex, and some patients express a clear preference for female providers. This is especially true in obstetrics/gynecology, where patients may have a variety of reasons for requesting female physicians. This column presents a case in which the patient not only expressed a preference for a female physician, but also, in fact, refused care from any male obstetrician/gynecologist. Possible responses to such a request are examined, with consideration of the competing priorities involved.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Ethics in Health Care, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, USA.
Karen E
KE
Adams
D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010822:Physicians, Women; D011287:Prejudice; D014481:United States; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy