Patients' preference for male or female breast surgeons: questionnaire study

Abstract

Patients' preferences in the provision of health care are an important consideration. Although several studies have investigated patients' preferences for male or female general practitioners,1–3 few studies have considered preference for male or female surgeons, and preference of women for male or female breast surgeons has not been reported. Until recently the small numbers of female consultant surgeons in Britain meant that patients did not have a choice of male or female surgeon. This will change, however, with increasing numbers of female consultants and may have implications for the staffing of specialist breast units. In September 1997 a female consultant surgeon became available at Victoria Infirmary's specialist breast clinic, …