title: Female patients' sex preferences in selection of gynecologists and surgeons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, the authors investigated sex preferences for gynecologists and surgeons among female patients, and explored potential contributing factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty-six female patients were surveyed in a private practice office concerning their sex preferences and past obstetric/gynecologic care. For data comparisons, chi2 or Fisher exact tests were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gynecologist sex preferences were similar between male (30%), female (35%), and no sex preferences (35%). Patients who had a female obstetrician at their first delivery or began their gynecologic care with a female were more likely to prefer a female gynecologist. Multiparous patients were more likely to state no preference for a gynecologist. There were no statistical differences in sex preferences when patients were stratified by age, race, educational background, age of first gynecologist visit, or the age at their first delivery. About half of the patients (51%) stated that they preferred a male surgeon; only 3% preferred a female surgeon, and 46% stated they had no preference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our investigation demonstrated that women's preferences for a gynecologist were divided equally between preferring a male, a female, and having no preference. Our study did find, however, that about half of the female patients preferred a male surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mercer University School of Medicine, Memorial Health University Medical Center, Savannah, GA, USA. alex_j_childs@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Alex J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Childs
authors.forename: Wayne H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Meyer P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Maribeth
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Anthony B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Royek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044469:Racial Groups; D014481:United States