Muslim women's physician preference: Beyond obstetrics and gynecology

Michelle McLean, Fatima Al Yahyaei, Muneera Al Mansoori, Mouza Al Ameri, Salma Al Ahbabi, Roos Bernsen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

When Emirati (Muslim) women (n = 218) were asked about their preferred physician (in terms of gender, religion, and nationality) for three personal clinical scenarios, a female was almost exclusively preferred for the gynecological (96.8%) and "stomach" (94.5%) scenarios, while ±46% of the women also preferred a female physician for the facial allergy scenario. Only 17% considered physician gender important for the prepubertal child scenario. Just over half of the women preferred a Muslim physician for personal examinations (vs. 37.6% for the child). Being less educated and having a lower literacy level were significant predictors of preferred physician religion for some personal scenarios, whereas a higher education level was a significant predictor for physician gender not mattering for the facial allergy scenario. Muslim women's preference for same gender physicians, and to a lesser extent religion, has implications for health care services beyond obstetrics and gynecology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)849-76
Number of pages28
JournalHealth Care for Women International
Volume33
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

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