S2954 Gender Preferences of Gastroenterologists in Jordan: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: The gender gap in medicine has narrowed globally, with women comprising 50% of medical school acceptances in Jordan by 2018. Patients’ preferences for physicians’ gender vary by specialty, with many favoring female obstetricians. Factors influencing gender preferences include perceived expertise, cultural and religious practices, and feelings of embarrassment. No prior Jordanian study explores these preferences. Therefore, this study investigated the preferred gender of the gastroenterologists in Jordan. Methods: A self-administered cross-sectional survey which was distributed through the period of March 1 till May 30, 2023. Adults from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds participated. The questionnaire investigated sociodemographic, perceptions of care, and preferences for gastroenterologist gender during consultations and procedures. A pilot test was conducted ensuring the reliability of the survey. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square and multinomial regression, were performed using SPSS 26. Results: This study consisted of 7,000 participants, aged on average 30.89 years (SD = 12.29), with 66.5% women. A large portion (90%) had a bachelor’s degree or higher, and 67.4% reported having a low monthly income. The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that male gender was a significant predictor for the preference for male gastroenterologists (odds ratio [OR] = 31.378; P < 0.001), as well as age (OR = 1.014; P = 0.028), working in field jobs (OR = 2.151; P = 0.003) or office jobs (OR = 2.095; P = 0.003; 95%), and having private insurance (OR = 1.386; P = 0.017). Conversely, low education (high school or lower) was a negative predictor (OR = 0.587; P = 0.003). Female respondents were more likely to perceive the gastroenterologist's gender as influencing the quality of care (OR = 1.736; P < 0.001) and their skills (OR = 1.921; P < 0.001), while male respondents showed less discomfort in interacting with the opposite gender (OR = 0.835; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Jordanians generally reported neutral views regarding the gender of gastroenterologists. Female participants stated that trust, knowledge, and risk considerations were the most important factors in determining their gastroenterologists, whereas male participants favored experience, knowledge, and cooperation. Therefore, healthcare authorities should focus on eliminating gender bias, educating the public, and dispelling any gender-based misconceptions.