INFLUENCE OF THE DOCTOR'S SEX ON PATIENT SATISFACTION

INFLUENCE OF THE DOCTOR'S SEX ON PATIENT SATISFACTION

DELGADO, A.; LOPEZ FERNANDEZ, L.A.; LUNA DEL CASTILLO, J.D.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE EDUCATION UNIT

ANDALUSIAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, GRANADA, SPAIN.

ADDRESS:Delgado Snchez, Ana

Carmenes La Muralla, n 59

18011 Granada,

Spain.

SUMMARY

This study was carried out in the framework of a wider research project into the degree of patient satisfaction with the various types of primary health care. We have studied the relation between the sex of the doctor, the sex of the patient and the type of primary health care center involved. In one type of primary care center (Health Centers) the medical staff work as a team, whereas in the other (Ambulatory Care Services), the doctor works alone.

The survey was carried out amongst 86 doctors and 860 patients from urban areas in Andalusia. The degree of patient satisfaction was tested on Likert scales.

Both male and female patients attended by female doctors were more satisfied than those attended by male doctors (p0.20).

Overall patient satisfaction values were not affected by the patient's sex (p>0.40).

If we compare overall satisfaction among patients according to the doctor's sex and type of primary health care center there was only seen to be a greater degree of satisfaction with female doctors working in Health Centers (p