QS302 - Does Gender Matter? Patient Preferences for Surgeon Selection in Colorectal Surgery

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Purpose/Background: Over the past ten years, there has been an increasing focus on understanding patient preferences for male or female healthcare providers, especially in specialties like emergency care, surgery, and primary care. Studies have shown that patients often prefer surgeons of the same gender, especially when dealing with sensitive issues. This study aims to investigate these preferences among colorectal patients specifically.

Methods/Interventions: An observational study was conducted to assess patient preferences regarding the gender of their colorectal surgeon. The study used a two-part questionnaire. Before the consultation, patients provided information on gender, age, type of consultation (first-time or follow-up), and surgeon preference (male, female, first available, or a certain surgeon). The reasons for consultation, socioeconomic status, and the match of patient preference with the attending surgeon were later analyzed. After the consultation, patients completed a 4-point Likert scale assessing satisfaction with care, comfort with the physician, the importance of the physician’s gender, willingness to see a physician of the opposite gender, and whether they found their condition embarrassing. Data were analyzed using R Studio Version 2024.04.2+764. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to explore relationships between variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05, and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to measure associations. A questionnaire was developed based on contemporary research and a set of supplementary questions, and its reliability was confirmed using statistical analyses.

Results/Outcomes: The study included 300 patients, with 56% men and a median age of 56.5 years (IQR 21). The findings revealed that patient gender was the only statistically significant predictor influencing physician gender preference (p < 0.0001). Women were 66% less likely to prefer male doctors than the first available physician (p = 0.0298) and 5.3 times more likely to prefer female doctors (p = 0.00005). Patients in follow-up consultations were less likely to choose female physicians (p = 0.0276). Age, socioeconomic status, and reason for consultation did not significantly impact gender preference. Younger patients were less likely to feel embarrassed during consultations (p = 0.015). In contrast, patients with higher socioeconomic status and those with malignant colorectal conditions reported significantly higher levels of embarrassment (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0007, respectively). Satisfaction was not significantly affected by gender preference fulfillment or other variables analyzed.

Conclusion/Discussion: These results highlight the importance of considering patient gender in physician assignments, particularly for female patients who strongly prefer female physicians. Strategies may be needed to address the specific preferences and sensitivities of patients in follow-up consultations and those with malignant conditions.