Gender preferences in ObGyn clinic vs private patients

To determine whether clinic patients, compared to private practice patients, are more likely to prefer seeing a female physician.

Connecticut women were surveyed from August through September 2001, inclusive, about the attributes they desire in an ObGyn provider. Clinic patient responses were analyzed in comparison to private patients.

A total of 262 women completed the survey (32 clinic and 232 private practice patients). Demographics of the subgroups differed, as the clinic patients more likely to be younger, not married, and were primarily Hispanic. Clinic patients reported a decreased opportunity to choose the gender of their provider (33.4% vs 62.8%) and were more likely to prefer a female provider (79.3% vs 36.9%). Unlike the private patients, most clinic patients responded that female providers are more knowledgeable and understanding of women's health issues.

Clinic patients have a stronger preference for female ObGyn's compared to private patients. Medical students who rotate through outpatient ObGyn clinic's are likely to have different patient encounter experiences than students who spend time in private ObGyn offices.