Unpredicted gender preference of obstetricians and gynecologists by Muslim Israeli-Arab women

作者：Amir Hadar^*; Tibi Yumna; Groutz Asnat; Amit Ami; Azem Foad

来源：Patient Education and Counseling, 2012, 86(2): 259-263.

DOI：10.1016/j.pec.2011.05.016

• Gender
• Obstetricians/gynecologists
• Muslim
• Women

Objectives: To investigate the gender preference of Muslim Israeli-Arab women regarding obstetricians/gynecologists, and identify other features that affect their choice.
Methods: The study included 167 responders to an anonymous questionnaire.
Results: Around one-half of the responders had no gender preference regarding family physicians, but most (76.6%) preferred a female gynecologist. Likewise, most responders preferred pelvic examinations (85.6%) and pregnancy follow-up (77.8%) by female gynecologists. Additionally, 61.7% preferred consulting female physicians for major obstetrical and gynecological (OB/GYN) problems. The reasons for female preference were embarrassment (67.7%), feeling comfortable with female gynecologists (80.8%) and the notion that female gynecologists are more gentle (68.3%). The three most important factors which affected actual selection, however, were experience (83.8%), knowledge (70.1%) and ability (50.3%), rather than physician gender (29.3%). Multivariate analysis revealed that other qualities and importance of background variables of the gynecologist were independent predictors of gender preference.
Conclusions: Although Muslim Arab-Israeli women express gender bias regarding their preference for gynecologists/obstetricians, personal and professional skills are considered to be more important factors when it comes to actually making a choice.
Practice implication: We suggest that the ideal obstetrician/gynecologist for these women would be female, though skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced male would be appropriate.

• 出版日期2012-2