Prospective Patient Preferences for Humor in Urologists Treating Erectile Dysfunction: A Survey Study

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Marketing
• Patient Psychology

Background:

• Stigma and embarrassment can deter men from seeking treatment for sexual dysfunction.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition often associated with significant patient anxiety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate patient preferences for professional versus humorous business cards when selecting a urologist for erectile dysfunction (ED).
• To explore the influence of humor in patient-provider interactions for sensitive health issues.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 997 participants using an online platform.
• Respondents evaluated pairs of mock urology business cards (professional vs. humorous).
• Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze preferences and demographic associations.

Main Results:

• A majority of participants (66.1% average, 71.2% median) preferred professional business cards.
• Humorous card selection rates were significantly lower than professional card preferences across most sets.
• A statistically significant relationship was found between age and preference for professional cards.

Conclusions:

• A humor-centric approach may not be universally effective for sensitive conditions like ED.
• Patient preference leans towards professionalism, but humor's role in healthcare warrants further investigation.
• Future research should explore humor's impact in real-world clinical settings and consider patient stigma.