Obstetrician-Gynecologist Perceptions of Patient and Employer Gender Discrimination [7L]. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turrentine, Mark; Ramirez, Mildred; Stark, L. M.; Snead, Carrie; Schulkin, Jay
• Is Part Of: Obstetrics and gynecology. Volume 131(2018)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618
• DOI: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000533546.66906.9c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-7844

Abstract

Abstract : INTRODUCTION: To evaluate if obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyn) perceive discrimination from patients and organizational gender-preferences. METHODS: Two large private practice ob-gyn groups anonymously surveyed physicians to explore if patients' and employers' preferences of gender influenced selecting an ob-gyn, impacted their clinical practice, and resulted in feelings of discrimination. The Mann-Whitney U test was utilized for comparisons. RESULTS: In 2017, 35 physicians were surveyed (with a 97% response rate), 24 females and 10 males. Male physicians were older (52 versus 44 years, P <.01) and in practice longer (17 versus 11 years, P =.03), but no differences in race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or board certification. Female and male physicians agreed that patient's preference for the gender of her physician is her first priority (42% versus 50%, respectively, P =.14). Male physicians agreed that their gender has negatively impacted their patient practice volume (60%); whereas female physicians disagreed with this statement (96%), P <.01. Male physicians agreed that they were discriminated against by patients due to their gender (40%); whereas female physicians disagreed (88%; P =.01). Similarly, 50% of male compared to 17% of female physicians felt discriminated against by their employer due to their gender, although this was not significant ( P =.20). However, female physicians felt they were discriminated against due to gender in terms of salary (46%) compared to male physicians (20%), P =.049. CONCLUSION: Female and male ob-gyns perceive gender-discrimination; however, the former is due to compensation and the latter is due to patient preferences.