You should feel comfortable and understood by your doctor. It allows you to communicate openly with them and take a more collaborative approach to your healthcare. Having that relationship with your doctor can result in better healthcare outcomes.
For some people, building this type of doctor-patient relationship may feel easier with a female doctor. Let’s explore why some patients choose a female doctor and the potential benefits of that choice. We’ll also help you find a qualified female doctor near you.
Why Do Some Patients Choose a Female Doctor?
Patients may choose a female doctor for many reasons, but some of the most common reasons include:
Communication Style
A Journal of the American Medical Association study found that female physicians tend to engage in more patient-centered communication. Patients may feel that a female doctor spends more time listening to and trying to understand their concerns, resulting in longer office visits. Female doctors may also explain things more clearly without medical jargon, making it easier to understand vital medical information.
Shared Experience
Some patients may find it easier to explain certain medical conditions, especially those specific to women, to someone who can empathize with their experience. A patient may find it challenging to describe period pain to a male physician, for example. Knowing a female doctor has had similar experiences may make sharing information about sensitive medical topics easier.
Personal Preference
Patients may feel more comfortable with a female doctor due to their personality, cultural background, or religious beliefs. Many patients seek out a female doctor due to past experiences. They may simply feel safer with a female doctor, especially if they need an exam or want to discuss a sensitive topic.
Are There Benefits to Choosing a Female Doctor?
There may be benefits to working with a female doctor, especially if it reduces a patient’s anxiety levels and helps them open up about their healthcare concerns. Studies show there may be other benefits, too. NPR reported that female doctors were found to place more emphasis on preventative care and had better healthcare outcomes with their patients.
They may also have less gender bias with their patients, which can lead to a better experience for female patients who feel they haven’t been heard or understood by male doctors in the past.
While there are potential benefits to working with female doctors, remember that your own experiences may vary. The best doctor for you is one you feel comfortable with, regardless of their gender.
Where Can I Find a Female Doctor Near Me?
Looking for a female doctor in your area? Here are some tips to help you find a great doctor:
- Search your insurance company’s website. These sites often have directories of doctors that you can filter by gender, location, and more.
- Ask your family and friends for referrals. They may be able to recommend a female doctor they trust in your local area.
- Read online reviews. There are online review sites where patients can post reviews about their doctors, giving valuable insight to other potential patients.
Once you’ve found a potential doctor, schedule a consultation with them. You don’t have to wait until you are unwell to do this, either. Scheduling a wellness exam is a great way to meet a new doctor and experience their communication style and bedside manner in person. It can also make it easier to return to their office when you have a health concern.
Find a Female Doctor at East Adams Rural Healthcare
East Adams Rural Healthcare is committed to providing exceptional care for all patients. Our network of doctors includes experienced and compassionate female doctors practicing in many different areas of healthcare. Contact our team today to learn more about our healthcare services or to schedule an appointment with a female doctor.
Sources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/825/
- https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/12/19/506144346/patients-cared-for-by-female-doctors-fare-better-than-those-treated-by-men
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7980423/#:~:text=Physician%2Dheld%20stereotypes%20to%20gender,treatment%20of%20low%2Dback%20pain.&text=Female%20physicians%20show%20lower%20gendered%20implicit%20bias%20than%20males.&text=Provider%20sex%20is%20an%20influence%20on%20the%20selection%20of%20treatment%20option.&text=Only%20Black%20female%20physicians%20showed,towards%20male%20or%20female%20patients.
