Responses of male and female physicians to medical complaints in male and female patients
Greer, S.; Dickerson, V.; Schneiderman, L.J.; Atkins, C.; Bass, R.
Journal of Family Practice 23(1): 49-53
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0094-3509 PMID: 3723084 Document Number: 284211
Workups by male and female physicians in response to five common complaints in a sample of 200 men and women-100 married couples-revealed no significant differences in the extent and content. This study contrasts with observations made in a previous study of male physicians who were found to perform more extensive workups for men than for women. The present study differs from the previous one in several respects, however: (1) the physicians are significantly younger, (2) the patients are significantly older, (3) the physicians practice in a prepaid health maintenance organization as opposed to a fee-for-service group, and (4) the practice consists of men and women partners. If the first and last factors are the most important in accounting for the present observations, it is possible that whatever sexist behavior exists will decline with the infusion of young physicians-both men and women-into the evolving medical practice setting.