Preference for gender of health care provider in management of erectile dysfunction.
We investigated whether a preference by patients regarding the gender of a health care provider to manage erectile dysfunction (ED) may be a factor in the diagnosis and care of this condition, whose broader medical significance is an area of increasing interest. A brief questionnaire was completed by 1087 adult males in a primary care setting. The questionnaire explored provider gender preference and other possible biases. The prevalence of ED in the 40-69 age group in our population was 68.8%. The prevalence was 81% in the age group of 70 and more. Of those who reported having experienced ED, 51.5% had discussed it with a provider, and 28.1% had been treated. Approximately, 57% expressed no provider gender preference, regardless of history of ED. Of those who stated a preference, approximately 75% prefer male providers. However, also among those who state a preference, Hispanics are not as likely as non-Hispanics to prefer a male provider (P=0.03). Most believe that males and females are equally qualified to manage ED, but among those who have a different opinion, the gender perceived more favorably is male. The issue of privacy during the discussion of ED was also very important to the respondents in this study.
Carrejo
M H
MH
Extended Care Line, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Balla
D J
DJ
Tan
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000208:ethnology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012737:Sex Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology