Article here. Excerpt:
'Female patients seem to have different criteria for choosing a doctor, gender included. When Erin Cooper, a psychiatric study coordinator from Washington D.C., gets a sore throat, “I will see anyone. I’m confident any board-certified physician is competent to treat me.”
But if the medical issue heads into “female issues” territory, the 25-year-old gets a little more opinionated. There is no question, she says: “Having a female doctor in this case is a top priority.”
...
Male physicians have also bested female physicians in a surprising subspecialty: gynecology. Two separate studies have suggested that male gynecologists are more thorough, and more emotionally responsive, than female gynecologists. Researchers say this finding is the result of an intense pressure male gynecologists now feel within their profession. Today, an increasing number of patients are now requesting female gynecologists. As a consequence, male gynecologists may be going above and beyond to emotionally connect with their patients.
And though this brainy battle of the sexes may seem like a scientific toss-up, researchers generally seem to agree on one point: Female physicians are, on the whole, better communicators.
...
So Murtha switched to a female pediatrician. The move helped her feel more confident as a new mom, she says.
“Being more comfortable with my son's pediatrician translates to better care for him—and not just from his pediatrician, but also from me,” Murtha says. “I’m glad we switched. It was definitely the right choice for me.”'
So what this article tells me is that despite the average male gynecologist seeming to be better at it overall, many women would still rather have a female gynecologist tend to them.
Of course this isn't sexist. This is just about feelings and so it's perfectly fine. Another example of "His rights end where her feelings begin," but with a twist: there's nothing wrong with deciding what dr. you want treating you regardless of the reason. What is unfortunate is that it's not just one life affected by this sort of bigotry but three: the patient's, the infant's, and the infant's father.
Also note that the dad isn't even mentioned in this article.
