Patient gender preferences in a large military teaching hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify preferences for female providers among obstetric-gynecology patients in a large military teaching hospital in California.


METHODS
A questionnaire regarding patient preferences for female provider was distributed to and collected from 1,544 obstetric-gynecology patients over a two-month period. Responses were tabulated overall and for several demographic subgroups.


RESULTS
Sixty percent of respondents indicated they had no provider gender preference or they preferred a male. Significant ethnic preferences were noted among Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native-American women. Junior officers, wives, and daughters of service members also showed a greater preference for a female physician provider.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of obstetric-gynecology patients surveyed had no strong preferences for female providers. In the interest of patient satisfaction, where strong gender preferences exist, attempts to accommodate could be made without overburdening female staff.


METHODS
III.
Lund
Jon D
JD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California, USA. jon.lund@ttuhsc.edu
Rohrer
James E
JE
Goldfarb
Susana
S
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006176:Gynecology; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009774:Obstetrics; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010822:Physicians, Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce