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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018; 22(04): 404-407
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1641165
Original Research
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Do Otolaryngology Patients Show Gender Preference When Choosing a Surgeon? — A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

Chandala Chitguppi
1   Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Jaypee Hospital, Noida, India
,
Tripti Brar
1   Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Jaypee Hospital, Noida, India
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

23 August 2017

21 December 2017

Publication Date:
12 April 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction Otorhinolaryngology has always been considered a gender-neutral specialty, whereas in several other specialties, such as obstetrics, gynecology and urology, gender preference has been consistently shown by patients when choosing their treating surgeon. To date, no study has been performed to analyze whether this practice of gender preference is prevalent in otorhinolaryngology patients too.

Objectives To identify if gender preference exists in the field of otorhinolaryngology, specifically in its four subspecialties, namely otology, pediatric otolaryngology, laryngology and head and neck surgery.

Methods Patients attending our outpatient department were asked to complete a preformed proforma. The pro forma consisted of two parts, demographic details of the subjects and gender preference in the following subspecialties: otology, pediatric otolaryngology, laryngology and head and neck oncosurgery.

Results A total of 1,112 subjects took part in the study, out of which 1,089 subjects were included in the final analysis. Female gender preference was highest in the field of pediatric otolaryngology, while male preference was highest for head and neck oncosurgery.

Conclusion Though otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery has been considered a gender-neutral field, subspecialties of this field show considerable gender preference.

Keywords

bias - sexism - otolaryngology - male - female

Source of Financial Support

None.


Supplementary Material

 

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