Do Otolaryngology Patients Show Gender Preference When Choosing a Surgeon? — A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Introduction Otorhinolaryngology has always been considered a gender-neutral specialty, whereas in several other specialties, such as obstetrics, gynecology and urology, gender preference has been consistently shown by patients when choosing their treating surgeon. To date, no study has been performed to analyze whether this practice of gender preference is prevalent in otorhinolaryngology patients too.

Objectives To identify if gender preference exists in the field of otorhinolaryngology, specifically in its four subspecialties, namely otology, pediatric otolaryngology, laryngology and head and neck surgery.

Methods Patients attending our outpatient department were asked to complete a preformed proforma. The pro forma consisted of two parts, demographic details of the subjects and gender preference in the following subspecialties: otology, pediatric otolaryngology, laryngology and head and neck oncosurgery.

Results A total of 1,112 subjects took part in the study, out of which 1,089 subjects were included in the final analysis. Female gender preference was highest in the field of pediatric otolaryngology, while male preference was highest for head and neck oncosurgery.

Conclusion Though otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery has been considered a gender-neutral field, subspecialties of this field show considerable gender preference.

Keywords

bias - sexism - otolaryngology - male - female

Source of Financial Support

None.

• References

• 1 Oberlin DT, Vo AX, Bachrach L, Flury SC. The Gender Divide: The Impact of Surgeon Gender on Surgical Practice Patterns in Urology. J Urol 2016; 196 (05) 1522-1526
• 2 Ettner R, Ettner F, White T. Choosing a Surgeon: An Exploratory Study of Factors Influencing Selection of a Gender Affirmation Surgeon. Transgend Health 2016; 1 (01) 124-128
• 3 Naidu NS, Patrick PA. The influence of career stage, practice type and location, and physician's sex on surgical practices among board-certified plastic surgeons performing breast augmentation. Aesthet Surg J 2011; 31 (08) 941-952
• 4 Childs AJ, Friedman WH, Schwartz MP, Johnson M, Royek AB. Female patients' sex preferences in selection of gynecologists and surgeons. South Med J 2005; 98 (04) 405-408
• 5 Groutz A, Amir H, Caspi R, Sharon E, Levy YA, Shimonov M. Do women prefer a female breast surgeon?. Isr J Health Policy Res 2016; 5: 35