The influence of the sex of the general practitioner on referral to a vulval clinic

Abstract

Two hundred consecutive patients attending a dermatology vulval clinic in two hospitals were identified retrospectively. The sex and status of the referring doctor and the sex of the registered general practitioner was recorded. The length of symptoms prior to referral was determined. Female doctors referred 63% of women, despite only 38% being registered with a female general practitioner. Women referred by their own female general practitioners had a shorter mean duration of symptoms (3·4 years) than those registered with a male doctor but referred by a female (4·2 years). This study confirms that female doctors refer the majority of patients with vulval problems. Women registered with a female general practitioner tend to be referred earlier.