How Relevant is Obstetrician and Gynecologist Gender to Women in Saudi Arabia?

How Relevant is Obstetrician and Gynecologist Gender to Women in Saudi Arabia?

The patient-doctor relationship is one of the most important factors in determining the outcome of healthcare. The first step in establishing this relationship is choosing a physician. This study sought to identify patient preferences concerning the gender of their obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of women's health Vol. 13; pp. 919 - 927
Main Authors: Subki, Ahmed Hussein, Agabawi, Abdullah Khaled, Hindi, Muhab Mohammed, Butt, Nadeem Shafique, Alsallum, Mohammed Saad, Alghamdi, Rawan Ali, Subki, Siham Hussein, Alsallum, Fahad, Alharbi, Abdulaziz Ahmed, Lodhi, Yousif Ibrahim, Alandijani, Sultan, Al-Zaben, Faten, Koenig, Harold G, Oraif, Ayman M
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01-01-2021
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Dove
Dove Medical Press
Subjects:
Age
Classification
Clinics
Education
Gender
Gynecological surgery
gynecologist
Health aspects
Males
Medical research
Medical screening
Medical societies
Medicine, Experimental
Obstetrics
Original Research
patient care
Patients
Physician and patient
Physicians
preference
Preferences
Women
Womens health
Saudi Arabia
gynecologist
gender
obstetrics
patient care
preference
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Summary:The patient-doctor relationship is one of the most important factors in determining the outcome of healthcare. The first step in establishing this relationship is choosing a physician. This study sought to identify patient preferences concerning the gender of their obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) physician and the effect of religion and society on these choices. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the OB-GYN outpatient clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah between February 2017 and June 2017. A total of 227 female patients were recruited. Eligible were women ages 18 years or older who had attended the clinic at least three times. A 30-item questionnaire was administered. Significantly, more female doctors were preferred for pelvic examination in lower income group (p=0.003), while male doctors were preferred for surgery (p=0.010) in higher income group. Significantly more male doctors were preferred for pelvic examination and gynecological surgery in >35-year age group (p=0.015 and p=0.017, respectively). With regard to predictors, embarrassment was the most significant factor reported for not choosing a male obstetrician/gynecologist (OB-GYN) in the younger age group. Nearly three-quarters (71.2%) of respondents with age ≤35 reported embarrassment as a factor for not choosing a male OB-GYN; 79.7% of this subgroup indicated that female doctors were more knowledgeable about women's health issues. Participants expressed a strong preference for female providers overall, although some women preferred male providers during certain circumstances (gynecologic surgery). Despite these gender preferences, more important to women in their choice of OB-GYN provider was the doctor's experience, qualifications, and reputation. Such trends are consistent with those culturally similar countries and in line with trends worldwide. These findings have the potential to significantly impact the personal health for women in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East where religious and cultural traditions are so important in decision-making.
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ISSN:1179-1411
1179-1411
DOI:10.2147/IJWH.S284321