Stereotyped beliefs about male and female OB-GYNS: relationship to provider choice and patient satisfaction

Abstract

Background: Up to 60% of women prefer a female obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), perhaps in part due to holding negative stereotypes of male providers. However, provider gender stereotypes have not been directly examined. The purpose of the current studies was to evaluate women’s stereotypes of male and female OB-GYN providers and the impact of these stereotypes on provider evaluations.

Methods: First, stereotypes of male and female OB-GYNs were elicited from 96 undergraduate women who described the attributes and behaviors of a typical male or female OB-GYN. Next, 126 undergraduate women were randomized to review recordings depicting male or female OB-GYNs engaging in male or female-stereotype congruent behaviors during a well-woman visit.

Results: Participants overall had positive stereotypes of female OB-GYNs (e.g. knowledgeable, easy to talk to) but some negative stereotypes of males (e.g. unable to fully understand women’s health issues). However, male and female OB-GYNs who engaged in female stereotype-congruent behaviors were similarly preferred over providers who engaged in male-stereotype congruent behavior.

Conclusion: Women generally regard female OB-GYNs as highly competent, whereas some believe that being male is a disadvantage in providing OB-GYN care. However, providers who engage in behaviors associated with high quality care are evaluated positively, regardless of the provider’s gender.

• Gender differences
• medical education
• obstetrics/gynecology
• patient satisfaction
• stereotypes

Current knowledge

• There is currently a gender imbalance in new physicians entering the field of OB-GYN, with only 17% of applicants to OB-GYN residences being male.

• Male medical students may believe that they are not welcome in the field of OB-GYN in part because women prefer female providers.

• Negative stereotypes of male OB-GYNs may be fueling patient preferences for female OB-GYNs and lead to increased satisfaction with female providers.

What this study adds

• Some women hold negative stereotypes of male OBGYNs and many hold positive stereotypes of female OB-GYNS.

• Women are similarly satisfied with care received from male and female providers when they behave in accordance with expectations for female OB-GYN providers.