Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (Propensity Score) using the Military Health System Data Repository and National Death Index
Published on: January 8, 2020
Patient gender preferences in a large military teaching hospital
Jon D Lund1, James E Rohrer, Susana Goldfarb
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California, USA. jon.lund@ttuhsc.edu
Objective:
To quantify preferences for female providers among obstetric-gynecology patients in a large military teaching hospital in California.
Methods:
A questionnaire regarding patient preferences for female provider was distributed to and collected from 1,544 obstetric-gynecology patients over a two-month period. Responses were tabulated overall and for several demographic subgroups.
Results:
Sixty percent of respondents indicated they had no provider gender preference or they preferred a male. Significant ethnic preferences were noted among Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native-American women. Junior officers, wives, and daughters of service members also showed a greater preference for a female physician provider.
Conclusion:
The majority of obstetric-gynecology patients surveyed had no strong preferences for female providers. In the interest of patient satisfaction, where strong gender preferences exist, attempts to accommodate could be made without overburdening female staff.
Level Of Evidence:
III.
Related Concept Videos
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Obedience
Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System I: Health History
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...