[How gender and communication style of physicians affect patient satisfaction: the little difference].
Patients are particularly satisfied with the medical consultation when physicians adopt a patient-oriented communication style which is characterized by emotional participation, exploring the meaning of a disease for the life of the patient, and including the patient in decision making. Female physicians are much more likely to adopt such a patient-oriented communication style than male physicians. As a consequence, patients should be more satisfied after consultations with female than with male physicians. However, research shows that there is no difference: patients are equally satisfied with female and male physicians. This article sheds light on this paradox and explains it based on gender role stereotypes and patient expectations.
Schmid Mast
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Psychologisches Institut der Universität Zürich, Sozial- und Gesundheitspsychologie. m.schmidmast@psychologie.unizh.ch
Kindlimann
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Hornung
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D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012803:Sick Role; D013240:Stereotyping