Effect of gender on communication of health information to older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of gender on three key elements of communication with elderly individuals: effectiveness of the communication, perceived relevance to the individual, and effect of gender-stereotyped content.


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
University of Connecticut Health Center.


METHODS
Thirty-three subjects (17 female); aged 69 to 91 (mean+/-standard deviation 82+/-5.4).


METHODS
Older adults listened to 16 brief narratives randomized in order and by the sex of the speaker (Narrator Voice). Effectiveness was measured according to ability to identify key features (Risks), and subjects were asked to rate the relevance (Plausibility). Number of Risks detected and determinations of plausibility were analyzed according to Subject Gender and Narrator Voice. Narratives were written for either sex or included male or female bias (Neutral or Stereotyped).


RESULTS
Female subjects identified a significantly higher number of Risks across all narratives (P=.01). Subjects perceived a significantly higher number of Risks with a female Narrator Voice (P=.03). A significant Voice-by-Stereotype interaction was present for female-stereotyped narratives (P=.009). In narratives rated as Plausible, subjects detected more Risks (P=.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Subject Gender influenced communication effectiveness. A female speaker resulted in identification of more Risks for subjects of both sexes, particularly for Stereotyped narratives. There was no significant effect of matching Subject Gender and Narrator Voice. This study suggests that the sex of the speaker influences the effectiveness of communication with older adults. These findings should motivate future research into the means by which medical providers can improve communication with their patients.
Dearborn
Jennifer L
JL
Brookside Research and Development Company, North Salem, New York, USA.
Panzer
Victoria P
VP
Burleson
Joseph A
JA
Hornung
Frederick E
FE
Waite
Harrison
H
Into
Frances H
FH