Preferred Physician Gender

I was pretty surprised by a survey reported on over at UKGyn...

Apparently some 1100 women responded and one of the first question (regarding pelvic exams) was:

Preferred Physician Gender?

307 prefer a male physician 31%

815 prefer a female physician 69%

Quite a larger percentage prefer females than I would have expected.

Comments?

The Doctor I also saw the survey on UKGyn

The Survey also had this interesting fact:

Gender of physicians who perform pelvic exams

412 see a male physician 35%

763 see a female physician 65%

so although the Preferred Physician Gender?

307 prefer a male physician 31%

815 prefer a female physician 69%

4 percent of the respondents did see a male even when they would have preferred a female

But more interesting was the fact that:

4,924 individuals participated in the previous surveys so far. 2,462 are female and only 48% of the 2,462 had a pelvic exam, was that only 48% of the respondent ( so 48% of the 2,462) were female that actually had pelvic exams performed which meant that 52% of the female respondents never had a pelvic exam.

52% ( of the 4,924 sample population) were male respondents who more than likely preferred their wife or significant other not to be examined by a male. It would have been more interesting if the sample population was only female as you would get a more realistic result for the preference of the Gender of the Physician.

Due to changes in insurance policies, Dr transfers, or moving, I've had several different physicians over the years, both male and female. I went to the females due to husbands request. I have always personally preferred a male and now having experienced both, I will remain with male Dr' s. Having said that, I've seen 3 different females physicians and approximately 10 males. The best physician I've ever had was a female, sadly insurance policies changed and I couldn't continue with her. However, the other two females acted like bitches on a power trip. It was enough I won't go to another, at least not by choice. Yes, I've had male Dr's with lousy bed side manners, but nothing compared to the two women. I have 2 grown daughters. One prefers male physicians, the other prefers female. I guess it's truly an individual preference.

Over the years I have had both male and female. Everyone of them have been good so I really could not pick one gender over the other. My current gynecologist is female though

My preference for physicians, PA, nurses, techs, assistants etc is male. However, if a female is going to be the best choice for the care, procedure, exam etc I am receiving, of course I will accept the care from a female.

That survey is arguably total RUBBISH. In fact, even if some of the many uncertainties were removed it still would be ENEMA DISCHARGE. One glaring 'in your face' misnomer is no allowance for respondents not having a preference or not caring. Also, if a choice had been "it depends on the doctor" that would have probably received the majority response thus meaning nothing. So don't be thinking one has to be one gender or another to be a doctor. Simply no correlation. Now for the next survey question, "In your molecules, do you prefer the proton, neutron, or electron?"

My wife of 12 years have always preferred a male doctor. she makes sure she is dressed nice, makeup done and nails look good. doesn't take much to figure out why she likes male docs. she enjoys it and I have seen it for myself

The problem with it is, that when you read statistics like that, it seems to imply all women perfer female gynos, but I know for a fact, that those women "in the know" seem to prefer male ones because they're gentler and don't have some pre-conceived notion of how an exam should feel or go for the woman in question. So I think it's misleading, that's not to say there's not honest people on *both* sides that prefer one or the other.

I've preferred male doctors. Just more comfortable talking with them.

When I was younger, especially before I got married, I didn't want to see a male gyn at all. I was embarrassed to have myself on display like that to a man and thus preferred seeing females. Now that I'm older and married, I find I prefer males over females. Male gyns tend to be gentler, more empathetic, and more likely to dig into why something's happening and seek for a good solution, rather than the "suck it up" attitude I've gotten from females.

I prefer female. I was asked once in school what it feels like to be kicked in the testicles. I said I have no clue. That sort of sealed it for me. How can a man know what the pain a woman is telling him about? I have never been to a male doctor.

It's male for me. Except for some trips to the doctor while in college, I've had the same doctor for the past 12 years, and he's a he. I feel very comfortable with him.

My wife prefers male gynecologists. I prefer it as well!

My girlfriend prefers a female gynocologist she thinks females understand other females better and there problems they may have

I have only seen male Ob/Gyns so far, however I want to continue that policy thank you very much

I have had a female Doctor ever since my first GYN exam

I have had both male and female gynecologists in the past, but my current gynecologist who I've seen for several years now is male and I'm quite fine with that. He is attentive, takes time to listen to concerns, answer questions and is gentle and thorough in his examination of me.

I have had both genders for pelvic exams, although mainly male. For me, professionalism and bedside manner is much important than gender.

I've had a female since I was seventeen.

I had both and I DEFINITELY prefer female doctors...

I've had both through out the years and although I do love both make and female docs, I feel as though I always enjoy and feel more comfortable with female doctors.

Wife and I both prefer female physicians.

I have always felt more comfortable with a female Doctor. We are able to discuss certain things more openly.

I have a male family practice doctor and a female gynecologist. I've had gynecological exams by both so I don't really have a preference. The doctor's attitude and skills are more important to me than gender.

I don't have a favourite for the gender of the dr. examine me. For me its a more the exposed feeling that I have when examined by a male physician which I like but also find men more careful and understanding in the exam they perform on me. Which is slightly strange as they don't fully understand what it is for a woman to go through. With female physicians I find theme mostly more clinical and strict in the way they perform the exam. Less sympatric feelings and more for me to endure the exam. Although it sounds strange, it is also this way of approaching that I like because of my medical fetish.

In my opinion both gender are obviously equally skilled in reaching the goal of the exam but both in a different way.

I've had male and female gynecologists and must say I prefer a male. Females are just too rough in my private areas. Male gynecologists are much more gentle and a female nurse is always in the room to assist.

My F.P., Vascular Surg. and Urologist are males, but my Dermatologist is female. She examines every inch of my skin, but it's all business. She always has a chaperone with her, I'm sure for her legal protection. I am comfortable with all my doctors and have no preference, but my Derm is very pretty and is a pleasure to look at.

For me I prefer to see a female when I go in for my well woman exam. She has pcos just me so the fact that she knows what it is like is very comforting. I have never been to see a male so I cant really judge how he would be. I know some prefer having one or the other but for me in this stage in my life I will just stick too seeing my female NP.

I am a bit surprised really that 69% said that they prefer women doctors. I definitely prefer males. I had 2 cervical smears taken by female practice nurses at my GP and they were nice to get on with but they were a bit rough putting the speculum in and I did not like that.

My male gynecologist was gentle when he put the speculum in. Much better.

I do not think people should just believe all women always prefer to see woman doctors because that just isn't true.

I've had both male and female gynecologists, and I find I prefer a male doctor - in any specialty. They seem a bit more gentle, attentive, and tend to dig diagnostically.