Gender Preferences in Healthcare: A Study of Saudi Patients’ Physician Preferences

Saudi patients exhibit gender preferences influenced by expertise, communication skills, and cultural norms. Gender significantly impacts comfort and satisfaction, especially in sensitive contexts like intimate exams and childbirth. These findings underscore the importance of gender-sensitive workforce planning to align physician assignments with patient preferences, enhancing satisfaction and trust. Future research should explore psychological and systemic factors driving these preferences to optimize patient-centered care and healthcare delivery systems.