How Relevant is Obstetrician and Gynecologist Gender to Women in Saudi Arabia?

Abstract

Background:The patient-doctor relationship is one of the most important factors in determining the outcome of healthcare. The first step in establishing this relationship is choosing a physician. This study sought to identify patient preferences concerning the gender of their obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) physician and the effect of religion and society on these choices. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the OB-GYN outpatient clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah between February 2017 and June 2017. A total of 227 female patients were recruited. Eligible were women ages 18 years or older who had attended the clinic at least three times. A 30-item questionnaire was administered. Results: Significantly, more female doctors were preferred for pelvic examination in lower income group (p=0.003), while male doctors were preferred for surgery (p=0.010) in higher income group. Significantly more male doctors were preferred for pelvic examination and gynecological surgery in >35-year age group (p=0.015 and p=0.017, respectively). With regard to predictors, embarrassment was the most significant factor reported for not choosing a male obstetrician/gynecologist (OB-GYN) in the younger age group. Nearly three-quarters (71.2%) of respondents with age ≤35 reported embarrassment as a factor for not choosing a male OB-GYN; 79.7% of this subgroup indicated that female doctors were more knowledgeable about women's health issues. Conclusion: Participants expressed a strong preference for female providers overall, although some women preferred male providers during certain circumstances (gynecologic surgery). Despite these gender preferences, more important to women in their choice of OB-GYN provider was the doctor's experience, qualifications, and reputation. Such trends are consistent with those culturally similar countries and in line with trends worldwide. These findings have the potential to significantly impact the personal health for women in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East where religious and cultural traditions are so important in decision-making.

Physicians' Gender Influence on the Patients' Choice of Their Treating Obstetrician-Gynecologist in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

“…Moreover, a majority of the participants preferred female OB-GYNs for major gynecological surgery. Similar results have been documented in two Saudi studies [ 12 , 14 ] conducted in Jeddah.…”

“…The physician attitude and professionalism (45.6%), physician availability (29.2%), and female physician who is more patient and understanding (14.4%) were found in descending order of percentages. When comparing these results to similar previous studies, two studies, conducted in Jeddah [ 12 , 14 ], showed that the most affecting factors were knowledge and experience, board certification, and recommendation by relatives or friends. Although reputation is one of the important factors found in those two studies, physician reputation was the least selected factor in our study.…”

“…This is totally different from other studies. One of them [ 14 ] showed that females with higher income preferred male OB-GYNs and specifically non-Saudi male OB-GYNs, while the other [ 12 ] showed that females with higher income preferred female OB-GYNs. In the study that was conducted among Muslim Turkish women [ 8 ], income level was the only factor that has a significant association (p-value < .05).…”

“…All of the five studies have shown very similar results. Three of them were conducted in Jeddah [ 12 - 14 ], one in Al-Khobar [ 15 ], and one in Al-Riyadh [ 5 ]. One study, conducted in Jeddah and published in 2021, showed that most of the participants preferred female OB-GYNs [ 14 ].…”

“…Three of them were conducted in Jeddah [ 12 - 14 ], one in Al-Khobar [ 15 ], and one in Al-Riyadh [ 5 ]. One study, conducted in Jeddah and published in 2021, showed that most of the participants preferred female OB-GYNs [ 14 ]. Interestingly, a recent study conducted in Jeddah has shown that 50.85% of the study participants expressed a strong preference for male OB-GYNs in emergency and critical surgery [ 13 ].…”