Patients' and physicians' gender and perspective on shared decision-making: A cross-sectional study from Dubai

Area of Science:

• Healthcare delivery
• Patient-centered care
• Health services research

Background:

• Patient-centered care and shared decision-making (SDM) are global healthcare objectives.
• Limited research exists on gender's influence on patient perspectives of SDM in the Arabian Gulf Region.
• This study addresses the role of gender in shaping patient engagement in SDM in Dubai, UAE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of physician and patient gender in shaping patients' perspectives on their opportunity for shared decision-making (SDM).
• To analyze differences in SDM perceptions based on physician gender and patient gender in Dubai.
• To explore cultural factors influencing the physician-patient relationship regarding SDM.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 50 physicians and 500 patients in Dubai.
• The survey included sociodemographic questions and the 9-item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9).
• Statistical analyses (t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square) assessed perceptions of physician SDM attitudes by physician and patient gender.

Main Results:

• Female physicians showed significantly higher engagement in SDM compared to male physicians across both male and female patients.
• Male physician-female patient dyads reported the lowest SDM scores.
• No significant association was found between patient gender and their perception of SDM opportunities.

Conclusions:

• Physician gender, not patient gender, significantly influences patients' perceptions of shared decision-making (SDM).
• Cultural, social, and religious factors in the Arab context may explain lower SDM scores in male physician-female patient interactions.
• Targeted education for physicians on SDM is recommended to ensure equitable patient engagement, irrespective of provider gender.