Taara Prasad1, Eugenia Buta2, Paul D Cleary3. 1. Goucher College, Baltimore, MD, USA. 2. Yale Center for Analytical Studies, Yale School of Public Health, PO Box 208034, New Haven, CT, 06520-8034, USA. 3. Anna M.R. Lauder Professor of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, PO Box 208034, New Haven, CT, 06520-8034, USA. paul.cleary@yale.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is great interest in identifying factors that are related to positive patient experiences such as physician communication style. Documented gender-specific physician communication and patient behavior differences raise the question of whether gender concordant relationships (i.e., both the provider and patient share the same gender) might affect patient experiences. OBJECTIVE: Assess whether patient experiences are more positive in gender concordant primary care relationships. DESIGN: Statewide telephone surveys. Linear mixed regression models to estimate the association of CAHPS scores with patient gender and gender concordance. SUBJECTS: Two probability samples of primary care Medicaid patients in Connecticut in 2017 (5/17-7/17) and 2019 (7/19-10/19). MAIN MEASURES: Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG-CAHPS) survey augmented with questions about aspects of care most salient to PCMH-designated organizations and two questions to assess access to mental health services. KEY RESULTS: There were no significant effects of gender concordance and differences in experiences by patient gender were modest. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not support the suggestion that patient and physician gender and gender concordance have an important effect on patient experiences.
BACKGROUND: There is great interest in identifying factors that are related to positive patient experiences such as physician communication style. Documented gender-specific physician communication and patient behavior differences raise the question of whether gender concordant relationships (i.e., both the provider and patient share the same gender) might affect patient experiences. OBJECTIVE: Assess whether patient experiences are more positive in gender concordant primary care relationships. DESIGN: Statewide telephone surveys. Linear mixed regression models to estimate the association of CAHPS scores with patient gender and gender concordance. SUBJECTS: Two probability samples of primary care Medicaid patients in Connecticut in 2017 (5/17-7/17) and 2019 (7/19-10/19). MAIN MEASURES: Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG-CAHPS) survey augmented with questions about aspects of care most salient to PCMH-designated organizations and two questions to assess access to mental health services. KEY RESULTS: There were no significant effects of gender concordance and differences in experiences by patient gender were modest. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not support the suggestion that patient and physician gender and gender concordance have an important effect on patient experiences.
Authors: Lisa J Rogo-Gupta; Carolyn Haunschild; Jonathan Altamirano; Yvonne A Maldonado; Magali Fassiotto Journal: Womens Health Issues Date: 2018-02-21